%fm 


FAC'LITYi 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


I 


THE 


ENGLISH  HERMIT 


1 


OR, 


UNPARALLELED   SUFFERINGS 
AND 

SURPRISING  ADVENTURES 

OF 

Mr.  PHILIP    QUARLL 


WHO   WAS   LATELY 
DISCOVERED   ON    AN   UNINHABITED   ISLAND   IN   THE 
SOUTH    SEA  ;     WHERE   HE    HAD   LIVED   ABOUT 
'«***"FIFTy   YEARS   WITHOUT   ANY  HUMAN 

ASSISTANCE. 


PHILADELPHIA  : 

B,  PERRY,  198   MARKET   STREET. 
1855. 


PREFACE. 


Truth  and  fiction  have,  of  late,  been  so 
promiscuously  blended  together  in  two 
performances  of  this  nature  that,  in  the 
present  case,  it  seems  absolutely  necessary 
to  distinguish  the  one  from  the  other.  If 
Robinson  Crusoe,  Moll  Flanders,  and 
Colonel  Jack,  have  had  their  admirers 
among  the  lower  rank  of  readers,  it  is  as 
certain  that  the  morality,  in  masquerade, 
which  may  be  discovered  in  the  Travels  of 
Lemuel  Gulliver  has  been  an  equal  enter- 
tertainment  to  the  superior  class  of  man- 
kind. 

Now  it  may,  without  the  least  arrogance, 
oe  affirmed  that,  though  this  surprising  nar- 
rative be  not  so  replete  with  vulgar  storiei 


550121 


dS  the  former,  or  so  interspersed  Tvith  a 
satirical  vein  as  the  last  of  the  above-men- 
tioned treatises,  yet  it  is  certainly  of  more 
use  to  the  public  than  either  of  them,  be- 
cause every  incident  herein  related  is  real 
matter  of  fact.  But  because  my  share  in 
this  work  is  no  other  than  that  of  a  bare 
editor,  I  think  it  my  duty  to  account  for 
the  possession  of  this  manuscript.   , 

It  was  put  into  my  hands,  about  a  yeai_ 
^go,  by  Mr.  Dorrincton,  an  eminent  mer- 
^  chant,  with  full  liberty  to  publish  it  when 
and  in  what  manner  1  thought  most  proper. 
I  hope,  therefore,  it  will  not  be  deemed 
impertinent  to  give  some  account  of  my 
friend,  as  a  reputation  to  the  work  itself. 

,^Ir.  Edward  Dorrington  is  descended 
from  a  very  ancient  and  honourable  family 
in  Staffordshire.  His  grandfather,  Mr. 
Joseph  Dorrington,  removed,  out  of  that 
county,  to  Frome  in  Somersetshire ;  his 
employ  was  that  of  a  very  considerable 
graziei  -  The  issue  he  left  at  his  decease 
Wcis  one  son,  Richard  (the  father  of  my_ 
friend),  and  two  daughters.     Mr.  Richard 


PREFACE.  T 

Dorrington,  for  some  time,  was  a  studen* 
of  Graj's  Inn  ;  but,  liking  a  country  life 
best,  he  having  thoroughly  qualified  him 
self,  retired  to  Frome,  the  above-mentioned 
residence  of  his  father ;  where  he  married 
Mrs.  Margaret  Groves,  of  Taunton,  a  gen- 
tlewoman of  about  a  thousand  pounds'  for- 
tune. Soon  after  his  marriage,  he  went  and 
settled  at  Bath,  where  the  integrity  of  his 
fair  practice  soon  rendered  him  eminent  in 
his  profession.  He  acquired  a  very  com- 
petent estate,  and  died  in  the  j-ear  1708, 
having  no  other  issue  than  his  only  son,  the 
present  Mr.  Edward  Dorrington,  whom  he 
-iia^'pul^o  be  bred  a  merchant,  under  the 
care  of  Mr.  Stephen  Graham,  of  Bristol. 
His  diligence  and  courteous  behaviour, 
during  his  servitude,  so  highly  recommended 
him  to  his  master's  esteem  that,  when  his 
time  was  expired,  he  admitted  him  into  a 
moiety  of  his  commerce,  married  him  to  his 
daughter,  and  gave  her  a  handsome  por- 
tioil  suitable  to  his  merit. 

The  happiness  of  my  acquaintance  with 
him  began  in  his  apprenticeship  :  and  has. 


with  the  greatest  satisfaction  to  me,  conti- 
nued ever  since. 

As  to  the  genuineness  of  this  treatise,  I 
am  farther  to  assure  the  reader  that,  as  Mr. 
Dorrington  is  allowed,  by  all  who  knew 
him,  to  be  a  gentleman  of  unquestionable 
veracity,  and  above  attempting  an  imposi- 
tion on  the  public  ;  so  the  first  Book  hereiij^ 
was  wholly  written  by  himself,  and  the 
second  and  third  Books  were  faithfully 
transcribed  from  Mr.  Quarll's  parchment- 
roll,  which  was  a  continuation  of  what  my 
'triend  had  begun. 

When  Mr.  Dorrington  undertook  this 
voyage,  he  set  sail,  as  is  well  kno^vn,  from 
Bristol  to  the  South  Sea ;  and  traded  all 
along  that  coast  to  Mexico,  now  called  New 
Spain. 

And  he  is  now  making  a  second  voyage 
to  the  same  plases. 

To  proceed  to  the  work  itself.  The  first 
Book  contains  a  relation  of  Mr.  Dorrington's 
discovery  of  Mr.  Quarll ;  his  several  con- 
ferences with  him ;  a  description  of  the 
island,  and  the  manner  of  our  hennit's  living 
there  ;  with  many  other  curious  particulars. 


The  second  and  third  Books  are  the  con- 
tents of  the  hermit's  parchment  roll  aljove- 
mentioned  ;  and  contain  the  most  surprising, 
as  well  as  various,  turns  of  fortune  ever  yet 
recounted  in  any  work  of  this  kind.  And 
although  the  continued  series  of  misfortunes 
which  attended  him  seemed  to  render 
his  life  an  example  of  the  most  unhappy 
state  of  human  nature,  yet  we  do  not  find 
so  great  an  enormity  in  his  actions  that 
vengeance  should  pursue  him  so  closely  by 
dnparalleled  crosses.  If  poh'gamy  could 
call  down  such  divine  resentments,  we  must 
be  silent  ;  nor  farther  urge  his  fate. 

However,  for  this  fact,  he  was  brought  to 
justice  by  the  laws  of  his  country  ;  and  he 
accounts  for  the  inducements  of  his  com- 
mitting that  sin  at  his  trial.  This  reflection 
therefore,  should  be  wiped  off,  since  he  is 
now  become  the  humblest  of  penitents. 

The  observations  throughout  these  sheets 
will  be  found  to  be  modest,  serious,  and 
instructive,  and  all  centre  in  the  unerring 
moral,  tha,t — 


Whate'er  we  do,  or  wheresoe'er  we're  driven. 
Still,  we  must  own,  such  is  the  will  of  Heaven. 

To  conclude.  In  the  publication  of  these 
papers  I  have  discharged  two  promises ;  the 
one  made  by  Mr.  Dorrington  to  the  Hermit, 
and  the  other  made  by  myself  to  Mr.  Doi> 
rington  :  and  that  they  may  meet  Avith  a 
reception  as  candid  as  they  are  useful  is 
the  hearty  wish  of 

The  public's  humble  servant, 

P.  L. 


ON  THE 
HERMIT'S    SOLITUDEy 


Behold  a  man  in  his  first  class  of  years, 

When  youthful  sports  made  way  for  growing  cares. 

The  chequer'd  fortunes  of  a  manly  age, 

Busies  reflecting  sense  with  thoughts  more  sage : 

Various  affairs  will  cause  a  world  of  woes ; 

Then,  in  the  fall  of  life,  how  sweet 's  repose  I 

The  calm,  he  now  enjoys,  makes  full  amends 

For  all  he  felt;  Heav'n  never  ill  intends. 

Suff' ringsare  sent  to  us  from  God  above. 

To  make  us  practice  faith  and  sacred  love ; 

Aw'd  into  patience  by  fresh  scenes  of  fate. 

We  live  too  soon,  and  learn  to  live  too  late. 

In  busy  worlds,  and  trading  peopled  towns. 

More  fast  we  sin  than  sin  itself  abounds. 

jn  soft  repose,  Quarll  empires  does  disdain  ; 

Free  from  disquiet,  solitude  's  his  gain. 

Thoughts  more  sublime,  a  haven  more  serene, 

Nought  e'er  to  vex  him  that  may  cause  the  splten. 


X  ON   THE   HERMIT'S  SOLITDDE. 

Methinks  I  with  him  share  of  Eden's  grove. 
And  wish  no  better  Paradise  to  rove: 
Here's  not  Ambition  with  her  gaudy  train, 
Nor  Envy  trampling  down  the  poor  or  mean ; 
Nor  Avarice  nor  haughty  Pride  invade, 
Nor  can  Remorse  his  slumb'ring  nights  upbraid; 
In  peace  he  rests,  unenvy'd  or  unknown,  , 
And  pities  monarchs  on  their  toilsome  throne- 
No  king  that  reigns  but  must,  as  mortals,  die  ; 
And  when  they  rule,  no  subject  should  ask.  Why  ? 
Heav'n  grants  them  license  ;  ^nd,  when  God  gives 

laws, 
Where's  the  bold  man  that  dares  dispute  the  cause  ? 
Would  the  great  men  from  one  so  mean  be  told 
They  serve  a  crown  for  int'rest  and  for  gold  ? 
'Tis  with  content  Quarll  lives,  he's  truly  bless'd. 
Has  nought  to  dread,  nor  is  with  aught  distress'd; 
Prays  for  his  country,  and  it's  present  prince. 
That  he  may  reign  in  heav'n  when  call'd  from  hence. 
Here,  in  these  lonely  shades,  he  just  uprose, 
A  type  of  resurrection  to  disclose; 
A  resurrection  from  a  watery  hell. 
Where  shoals  of  terrors  strove  which  should  excel; 
A  resurrection,  emblem  of  the  last. 
Which  will  recal  our  ev'ry  guilt  that's  past ; 
Drawing  a  glare  of  conscience  to  our  view. 
Of  horror  for  our  sins,  both  old  and  new  : 
But  so  unspotted  in  his  present  state, 
I'd  wish  myself  as  happy — not  more  great : 
I'd  know  no  change  ;  but,  when  God  calls,  obey, 
Prepar'd  in  my  account  for  judgment-day : 


OK   THE   HERMITS    SOLfTUDE.  XI 

Then  happy  rise,  from  cares  and  worldly  toys. 

To  more  substantial  and  eternal  joys. 

This  honest  Hermit,  at  a  transient  view. 

Seems  to  be  born  all  precedent  t'  out-do  : 

Something  uncommon  makes  him  wond'rous  seem  ; 

Sound  are  his  morals,  drawn  from  ev'ry  theme. 

Thus  from  our  English  Hermit  learn  to  know 

That  early  piety  opposes  woe. 

Thro'  ev'ry  stage  of  life  see  Philip  tost. 

And  on  a  desert  shore  by  tempest  cast, 

Where  he's  most  happy,  when  imagin'd  lost: 

So  true  it  is  the  Gods  our  good  design, 

As  lab'ring  slaves  dig  diamonds  from  a  mine. 

From  rugged  rocks  the  sailors  gain  a  prize. 

And,  shipwreck'd  oft,  from  death  to  life  arise ; 

So  may  we  at  the  last  dread  trum4)et's  sound. 

By  true  repentance  here  on  eartli,  be  found 

Acceptable  in  heav'n,  where  joys  abound  1 

In  grateful  hymns  hail  in  the  new  spring-day; 

And,  like  the  angels,  never  cease  to  pray. 

A  kingdom  Quarll  doth  undisturb'd  enjoy  ; 

He's  rais'd  a  monarch  from  an  abject  boy. 

And  here  I  can't  omit  the  pencil'd  plan 

Oi  Bean-fidelle  his  monkey,  and  his  man  : 

The  docile  bea?t  most  servilely  obeys, 

And  justly  merits  more  than  human  praise  ; 

A  beauty  of  his  kind,  good-natur'd  too, 

A  brute  so  pleasing,  wonderful,  and  new  ; 

Subservient  to  his  lord,  loving  and  just : 

Where's  human  servant  we  can   thus  intrust  ? 


THE 

ENGLISH   HERMIT. 


BOOK  I. 

AN  ACCOUNT  HOW  MR.  QUARLL  WAS  FOUND  OUT; 
WITH  A  DESCRIPTION  OF  HIS  DRESS,  HABITATION 
AND  LTENSU.S  ;  AS  ALSO  HIS  CONVERSATION  WITH 
THE   PERSONS  WHO   FIRST  DISCOVERED  HIM. 

Having  concluded  those  mercantile  affairs  which  I 
•indertook  by  this  voyage  to  negociate,  and  bein^ 
up  on  my  return  for  England,  and  wind-bound, 
during;  my  stay  I  daily  walked  about  tlie  sea-shore. 
Very  early  one  morning,  the  weather  being  ex- 
tremely fair,  and  the  sea  wonderfully  calm,  as  I 
was  taking  my  usual  turn,  I  accidentally  fell  into 
discourse  with  a  Spanish  Mexican  inhabitant  named, 
Alvarado:  and,  as  we  were  viewing  the  rocks 
which  abound  in  those  seas,  he  desired  me  to  take 
notice  of  a  vast  long  one  about  seven  leagues  from 
shore,  which  he  said  was  supposed  to  inclose  some 
land,  by  its  great  extent ;  but  the  access  to  it  was 
very  dangerous,  by  reason  of  the  rocks,  A\hich  reach 
so  far  under  water,  being  in  some  places  too  shallow 
for  boats,  and  in  others  too  deep  to  ford  over;  and 
the  sea,  commonly  very  rough  in  that  place,  hitherto 
prevented  further  research,  supposing  the  advantage 


2  THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT. 

which  might  accrue  from  the  land  woula  not  couu- 
tervail  the  cost  and  trouble  of  making  it  habilabJe  ; 
for  that  he  and  some  friends  had,  on  a  fine  day,  as 
now  it  was,  tiie  curiosity  to  go  as  near  as  they 
could  with  saiety,  which  was  about  fifty  yards 
from  the  main  rock,  but  were  forced  to  return 
as  unsaiistied  as  they  went,  only  that  he  had  the 
pleasure  of  catcliing  some  delicious  tish,  which  lay 
playing  upon  the  surface  of  the  water,  having  a 
rod  in  his  hand,  and  lines  in  his  pocket,  being 
seldom  without  when  he  walks  on  tlie  sea-shore. 
These  <ish  are  somewhat  larger  than  a  herring  in 
its  prime,  skinned  like  a  mackarel,  made  as  a 
gudgeon,  and  of  divers  beautiful  colours,  especially 
if  caught  on  a  fair  day;  having  since  observed  that 
they  are  more  or  less  beautiful  according  to  the 
serenity  of  the  weather.  The  account  he  gave  me 
of  them  excited  my  curiosity  to  go  and  catch  some  ; 
and  he  bein'^,  as  usual,  provided  with  t.ickle,  we 
picked  up  a  parcel  of  yellow  maggots,  which  breed 
in  dead  toriui.-es  upon  the  rock,  at  which  those 
fishes  bite  very  eagerly. 

Thus  equipped  with  all  necessaries  for  the  sport, 
we  agreed  with  a  young  fellow,  one  of  tlie  long- 
boat's crew  belonging  to  the  ship  I  was  come  over 
in;  whose  master  being  just  come  on  shore,  and 
not  expected  to  return  speedily,  he  rea<lily  con- 
sented to  row  us  thither  for  about  the  value  of  a 
shilling. 

Being  come  to  the  place,  we  found  extraordinary 
sport :  the  fishes  were  so  eager  that  our  lines  were 
uo  sooner  in  but  we  had  a  bite. 

Whilst  we  were  fishing,  the  young  man,  who 
rowed  usthitlier,  spying  a  cleft  in  the  rock,  through 
whidi  he  saw  a  liglit,  had  a  miud  to  see  what  was 
at  tlie  other  side,  so  put  ott  his  clothes  in  order  to 
wade  to  it :  thus,  having  taken  the  hitcher  of  the 
boat,  he  gioped  along  for  sure  footing,  the  rock 
being  very  full  of  holes. 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  3 

Being  come  to  the  cleft, he  crept  through,  and  in 
a  short  time  returned,  calling  to  us  with  precipita- 
tion, which  expressed  both  joy  and  surprize — 
"  Gentlemen !  gentlemen !"  said  he,  "  I  have  made 
a  discovery  of  a  new  ]»nd,  and  the  finest  that  the 
sun  ever  shone  on  :  leave  ott"  your  fishing;  you  'II 
find  here  much  better  business."  Having  by 
that  time  caught  a  pretty  handsome  dish  of  fish, 
we  put  up  our  tackling,  fastened  onr  boat  to  the 
rock,  and  so  we  went  to  see  this  new-found  land. 

Being  come  at  the  other  side  of  the  rock,  we 
saw,  as  he  said,  a  most  delightful  country ;  but 
despaired  going  to  it,  there  being  a  lake  about  a 
mile  long  at  the  bottom  of  the  rock,  which  parted  it 
from  the  land,  for  neither  Alvarado  nor  myself 
could  swim  ;  but  the  young  fellow,  who  could,  hav- 
ing leaped  into  the  water,  finding  it  all  the  way 
but  breast-high,  we  went  in  also,  and  waded  to  the 
other  side,  which  ascended  gently,  about  five  or  six 
feet  from  the  lake,  to  a  most  pleasant  land,  flat 
and  level,  covered  with  a  curious  grass,  some- 
thing like  chamomile,  but  of  no  smell,  and  of  an 
agreeable  taste  :  it  bore  also  abundance  of  fine  lofty 
trees,  of  difterent  kinds  and  make,  which  in  several 
places  stood  in  clusters,  composing  groves  of  differ- 
ent height  and  largeness.  JBeing  come  to  a  place 
where  the  trees  stood  in  such  a  disposition  as  gave 
our  sight  a  greater  scope,  we  saw,  at  some  dis- 
tance, a  most  delightful  wood  of  considerable  extent. 

The  agreeableness  of  the  perspective  made  by 
nature,  both  for  creating  pleasure,  and  condo- 
lence of  grief,  prompted  my  curiosity  to  a  view 
of  the  delights  which  the  distance  we  were  at 
might,  in  some  measure,  rob  us  of :  but  Alvarado 
who  till  then  had  discerned  nothing  whereby  we 
could  judge  the  island  to  be  inhabited,  was  fearful, 
and  would  not  venture  farther  that  way,  lest  we 
should  of  a  sudden  be  sallied  upon  by  wild  beasts 
out  of  the  wood ;  and  as  I  could  not  discommend 

b2 


4  THB  ENGLISH   HERMIT. 

his  precaution,  the  thickness  of  it  giving  room  to 
believe  there  might  be  dangerous- creatures  in  it ;  k> 
we  went  souihNvard,  finding  numbers  of  fine  trees, 
and  here  and  there  small  groves,  which  we  judged 
to  be  composed  of  forty  or  fifty  several  trees  :  but 
npon  examination  we  found  it,  to  our  great  amaze- 
ment, to  proceed  from  only  one  plant,  whose  out- 
most lower  blanches  bending  to  the  gronnd, 
about  seven  or  eight  feet  from  the  middle  stem, 
struck  root,  and  became  plants,  which  did  tlie 
same  ;  and  in  that  manner  covered  a  considerable 
spot  of  ground ;  still  growing  less,  as  they  stood 
farthest  from  the  old  body. 

Having  walked  some  time  under  that  most  sur- 
prizing and  wonderful  plant,  admiring  the  greatness 
of  Nature's  works,  we  went  on,  finding  several  ui 
the  same  in  our  way,  wherein  harboured  monkeys, 
but  their  swift  flight  prevented  our  discerning 
their  colours  :  yet,  going  on,  we  found  there  were 
^wo  kinds,  one  having  green  backs,  yellow  faces  and 
iiellies ;  the  other  grey,  with  white  bellies  and 
iaces ;  but  both  sorts  exceeding  beautiful. 

At  some  distance  we  perceived  three  things  stand- 
ing together,  which  I  took  to  be  houses :  "  I  be- 
lieve," said  I,  "  this  island  is  inhabited  ;  for,  if  I 
mistake  not,  yonder  are  dwelling  places." 

"  So  they  are,"  said  Alvarado  ;  "  and  therefore 
I  don't  think  it  wisdom  to  venture  any  farther, 
lest  they  should  be  savages  and  do  us  hurt."  So 
would  have  gone  back,  but  I  was  resolved  to  see 
what  they  were,  and  persuaded  him  to  go  on,  say- 
ing, it  would  be  time  enough  for  us  to  retreat  w hen 
ive  perceived  danger. 

"  That  may  be  too  late,"  said  he  :  "  for,  as  evil 
doth  not  always  succeed  danger,  danger  doth  not 
always  precede  evil ;  we  may  be  surprized." 

"Weil,  well,"  said  I,  "if  any  people  should 
come  upon  us,  we  must  see  them  at  some  distance, 
&ad  a  we  can't  avoid  them,  here  are  three  of  as^  a 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  5 

good  long  staiF  with  an  Iron  point  at  one  end,  and 
an  liook  at  the  other;  I  shall  exercise  that  and  keep 
them  ort',  at  least  till  you  get  away  :  come  along  and 
fear  not."     So  I  pulled  him  along. 

Being  come  near  enough  to  discern  better,  we 
found  that  what  we  took  for  houses  were  rather 
arbours,  being  apparently  made  of  sireen  tiees  :  then 
iadeed,  I  began  to  fancy  some  wild  people  inhabited 
them,  and  doubted  whether  it  were  sale  to  go 
nearer;  but  concealed  my  doubt,  lest  I  should 
intimidate  Alvarado  so  that  he  should  run  away, 
to  which  he  was  very  much  inclined.  I  only  slack- 
ened my  pace,  whicii  Alvarado  perceiving,  imagined 
that  I  saw  some  evil  coming,  which  he  thougiit  un- 
avoidable;  and  not  daring  to  go  from  my  company, 
he  only  condoled  his  misfortune  saying  he  dearly 
repented  taking  my  advice,  that  he  feared  we  should 
pay  dearly  for  our  silly  curioyty ;  for  indeed  those 
tilings  were  more  like  thieves' dens,  or  wild  people's 
huts,  than  Cliiistians'  habitations. 

By  this  time  we  were  come  near  a  spot  of 
ground,  pretty  clear  of  trees,  on  which  some  animals 
were  feeding,  which  I  took  to  be  goats,  but 
Alvarado  fancied  them  to  be  deers  by  their  swift 
flight  at  our  appearing:  however,  I  inferred  by  their 
shynegs  that  we  were  out  of  the  way  in  our  judg- 
ment concerning  the  arbours  :  "  For,"  said  I,  "  if 
these  were  inhabited,  those  creatures  would  not  have 
been  so  scared  at  the  sight  of  men,  and  if  by  nature 
wild,  they  would  not  graze  so  near  mens'  habita- 
tions, had  there  been  any  body  in  them.  I  rather 
believe  some  hermit  has  formerly  lived  there, 
and  is  either  dead  or  gone."  Alvarado,  who  to 
that  time  had  neitiier  heard  nor  seen  any  thing  Hiat 
could  contradict  what  I  said,  began  to  acquiesce  to 
it,  and  goes  on. 

Being  come  within  reach  of  plain  discernment, 
we  were  surprized.  "  If  these,"  said  I,  "  be  the 
works    of  savages,  they    far    exceed    our    expert 


0  rRE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

artists."  Their  regularity  appeared  unconfined  to 
the  rates  of  art,  and  complete  architecture  without 
the  craft  of  the  artist ;  nature  and  time  only  being 
capable  of  bringing  them  to  that  perfection.  They 
were  neither  houses,  huts,  nor  arbours;  yet  had  aU 
the  usefulness  and  agreements  of  each. 

Having  sufficiently  admired  the  uncommon 
beauty  of  the  outside  without  interruption,  but 
rather  diverted  with  the  most  agreeable  harmony 
of  various  singing  birds  as  perched  on  a  green 
hedge  whicli  surrounded  about  one  acre  of  land 
near  the  place,  we  had^the  curiosity  to  see  the 
inside,  and,  being  nearest  the  middlemost,  we  ex- 
amined that  first.  It  was  about  nine  feet  high, 
and  as  much  square  ;  the  walls  were  straight  and 
smooth,  covered  with  green  leaves,  something  like 
those  of  a  mulberry-tree,  lying  as  close  and  regular 
as  slates  on  a  slated  house :  the  top  went  up  round- 
ing like  a  cupola,  and  covered  in  the  same  manner 
as  the  sides ;  from  each  corner  issued  a  straight 
stem,  about  twelve  feet  higher,  bare  of  branches  to 
the  top,  which  were  very  full  of  leaves,  and  spread 
over,  making  a  most  pleasant  canopy  to  the  man- 
sion beneath. 

Being  full  of  admiration  at  the  wonderful  structure 
and  nature  of  the  place,  we  came  to  a  door  which 
was  made  of  green  twigs,  neatly  woven  and  fastened 
with  a  small  stick,  through  a  loop  made  of  the  same. 

The  door  being  fastened  without,  gave  us  en- 
couragement to  venture  in,  it  being  evident  that  the 
host  was  absent,  so  we  opened  it,  and  the  first  thing 
we  saw  being  opposite  to  the  door,  was  a  bed 
lying  on  tlie  ground,  which  was  a  hard  dry  earth, 
very  smooth  and  clean.  We  had  the  curiosity  to 
examine  what  it  was  made  of,  and  found  it  another 
subject  of  admiration.  The  covering  was  a  mat 
about  three  inches  thick,  made  of  a  sort  of  grass, 
which,  though  as  dry  as  the  oldest  hay,  was  as  green 
as  a  leek,  felt  as  soft  as  cotton,  and  was  warm  as 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  7 

wool ;  the  bed  was  made  of  the  same  and  in  the 
same  manner,  but  three  times  as  thick,  which  made 
it  as  easy  as  a  down  bed :  under  that  lay  another, 
but  somewliat  harder. 

At  one  side  of  the  room  stood  a  table  fiade  of 
two  pieces  of  tliin  oak  board,  about  three  feet  long, 
fastened  upon  four  sticks  driven  into  the  ground, 
and  by  it  a  cliair  made  of  green  twigs,  as  tlie  door ; 
at  the  otlier  side  of  tlie  room  lay  a  chest  on  the 
ground  like  a  sailor's  small  cliest ;  over  it,  against  the 
wall,  hung  a  linen  jacket  and  breedies  such  as  sea- 
men wear  on  board;  on  another  pin  hung  a  largs 
coat  or  gown,  made  of  the  same  sort  of  grass, 'and 
after  the  sanie  manner  as  the  bed  s  covering,  but 
not  above  iialf  an  inch  thick,  and  a  cap  by  it  of  the 
same :  these  we  supposed  to  be  a  winter  garb  for 
somebody. 

Having  viewed  the  furniture  of  the  dwelling- 
place,  \Ne  examined  its  fabric,  which  we  could  not 
tiiid  out  by  tlie  outside,  it  being  so  closely  covered 
with  leaves;  but  the  inside  being  bare,  we  found 
it  to  be  several  trees  whose  bodies  met  close  and 
made  a  solisl  wall,  wliich,  by  the  breadth  of  every 
stem,  we  judged  to  be  about  six  inches  thick,  their 
bark  being  very  smooth  and  of  a  pleasant  olive 
colour,  made  a  mighty  agreeable  wainscoting  ;  the 
roof,  which  was  hung  very  thick  with  leaves,  was 
branches  which  reached  from  end  to  end,  and  were 
crossed  over  by  the  side  ones  that  were  woven  be- 
tween, wliich  made  a  very  even  and  smooth  ceiling, 
so  thick  of  leaves  and  branches  that  no  rain  could 
penetate.  My  companion's  uneasiness,  expecting 
the  host's  return  every  moment,  hindered  my  ex- 
amining every  thing  more  narrowly ;  and  having 
slightly  looked  into  the  chest,  which  lay  open,  wherein 
we  saw  nothing  but  sheets  of  parchment,  which  his 
haste  would  not  permit  me  to  look  into,  we  went  away. 

Going  out,  we  saw  at  one  corner  of  the  room 
behind  the  door,  a  couple  of  firelocks,  the  sight  oi 


8  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

which  much  alarmed  mj'  companj',  and  I  must  con- 
fess, startled  me;  for  till  then,  I  was  iiiclineable  to 
believe  some  hermit  dwelt  in  the  place,  but  linding 
arms  in  the  room  of  a  crucifix  and  religious  pictures, 
which  were  the  common  ornaments  of  those  religious 
men,  made  me  waver  in  my  opinion  :  and  having 
taken  the  pieces  in  my  hands,  which,  for  rust,  ap- 
peared not  to  have  been  fit  for  use  for  many  years, 
renewed  my  former  opinion,  supposing  them  to  be 
the  effects  of  some  shipwreck,  which  the  hermit 
found  upon  tiie  rocks.  But  my  company  persisting 
in  their  own,  hastened  out,  and  wouki^' have  gone 
quite  away  without  seeing  any  more,  had  I  not,  by 
many  arguments,  made  them  sensible  that,  if  those 
arms  had  been  intended  for  the  evil  use  Alvarado 
imagined,  they  would  have  been  kept  in  better 
order;  to  which  being  obliged  to  acquiesce,  he  con- 
sented to  go  and  examine  the  other,  it  being  as 
worthy  of  admiration  as  that  we  had  seen,  though 
quite  of  another  nature,  but  much  of  the  same  height 
and  make. 

The  next  we  came  at  was  covered  all  over  with 
the  same  sort  of  grass  as  grew  on  the  ground,  which 
lay  as  even  as  though  it  had  been  mowed  and  rolled  : 
behind  it  were  several  lodges,  made  as  it  were  for 
some  dogs,  but  we  neither  saw  nor  heard  any. 

Having  viewed  the  place  all  round,  we  posted 
the  young  fellow  with  us  at  the  outside,  to  t^ive  notice 
when  any  body  appeared,  lest  we  should  be  sur- 
prized whilst  we  saw  the  inside  :  so  having  opened 
the  door,  which  was  made  and  fastened  after  the 
manner  of  the  first,  we  went  in,  expecting  to  find 
another  dwelling-place,  but  it  proved  rather  a 
kitchen;  'here  being  no  bed,  but  only  a  parcel  of 
shells  of  ditferent  sizes,  which  we  supposed  to  be 
applied  for  utensils,  some  being  scorchtM  at  the  out- 
side as  having  been  on  the  fire,  but  exceedingly 
clean  within :  the  rest  were  both  inside  and  outside 
as  fine  as  nakes  of  pearl. 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  9 

At  one  end  of  the  room  was  a  hole  cut  in  the 
{.'round  like  stew- stoves  in  great  kitchens;  about 
three  or  four  feet  from  that  there  was  another  fire- 
place made  of  three  stones,  fit  to  roast  at ;  in  both 
which  places  appeared'to  have  been  fire  lately,  by 
wood  coals  and  ashes  fresh  made  :  this  confirmed 
my  opinion  that  it  was  a  hermitage.  Alvarado,  who 
all  along  feared  we  should  meet  with  men  who  would 
misuse  us,  was  not  a  little  pleased  to  find  fire-places 
in  room  of  beds,  and  kitchen  utensils  instead  of 
weapons.  "  I  hope,"  said  he,  "  we  are  not  in  so 
great  a  danger  as  I  feared  ;  here  cannot  be  many 
men,  unless  they  crowd  together  in  yonder  place, 
and  if  so,  they  would  have  been  here  before  new, 
had  any  been  in  the  way."  His  fears  being  in  a  great 
measure  dispersed,  we  looked  about  more  leisuely, 
and  seeing  several  shells  that  were  covered,  on  a 
shelf  that  lay  cross  two  sticks  that  were  stuck  in  the 
wall,  which  was  made  of  turf,  we  had  the  curiosity 
to  see  what  was  in  them,  and  found  in  one,  pickled 
anchovies,  in  others  mushrooms,  capers,  and  other 
sorts  of  pickles. 

"  Let  them,"  said  I, "  be  who  they  will  that  dwell 
here,  I  am  sure  they  know  good  eating,  and  there- 
fore, probably,  may  be  no  strangers  to  good  man- 
ners." Upon  another  shelf,  behind  the  door,  lay  divers 
sorts  of  dried  fishes;  and  upon  the  ground  stood,  un- 
covered, two  chests  with  fish  and  fiesh  in  salt. 

These  provisions  being  somewhat  too  voluptuous 
for  a  hermit,  gave  us  room  for  speculation.  "  I  have 
lived,"  said  Alvarado,  "at  Mexico  these  six  jears, 
and  have  been  at  Peru  above  twenty  times,  and  yet 
never  heard  talk  of  this  island  ;  the  access  to  it  is  so 
ditficult  and  dangerous  that  I  dare  say  we  are  the 
first  that  have  been  on  these  sides  of  the  rocks.  I 
am  very  apt  to  believe  that  a  company  of  deter- 
mined Buccaniers,  which  are  said  to  frequent  these 
seas,  shelter  here  ;  and  that  the  habitation  we  have 
seen  and  this  place  belong  to  their  captain,  anci  Ihst 


10  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

the  company  resort  in  caves  up  and  down  these 
rocks."  Really  I  could  not  well,  gainsay  it,  being 
too  probable,  yet  I  would  not  altogether  acquiesce 
to  his  opinion,  lest  he  should  thereby  take  a  motive 
to  go  away  before,  we  had  seen  the  other  place. 

"  I  must  confess,"  said  I,  "  here  's  room  for  con- 
jectures, but  no  proof  of  certainty  :  however,  let  it 
be  a?  you  say,  it  is  a  plain  case  there  are  none  to 
disturb  us,  therefore,  whilst  we  have  liberty,  let  us 
see  the  other  place."  So  we  fastened  the  door  as 
we  fo  nd  it,  and  went  to  the  next,  which  was  shut 
after  the  same  manner  is  the  two  preceding,  but 
made  of  quite  dirterent  stutt",  being  a  complete  arbour 
composed  of  trees,  planted  within  a  foot  of  one 
another,  whose  branches  were  woven  together  in 
such  a  regular  manner  that  they  made  several 
agreeable  compartments,  and  so  close  that  nothing 
but  air  could  enter ;  it  was  of  the  same  height  and 
bigness  with  the  kitchen,  which  stood  at  the  other 
end  of  the  dwelling-place,  which  made  a  very  uni- 
form wing  to  it. 

The  coolness  of  the  arbour  removed  our  doubts 
of  its  being  another  dwelling,  unless  only  used  in 
hot  weather. 

Having  sufficiently  viewed  the  outside,  we  went 
in,  and  found  several  boards,  like  dressers  or  tables 
in  a  pantry,  on  which  lay  divers  broad  and  deep 
shells,  as  beautiful  as  those  in  the  kitchen,  in  some 
of  which  was  butter,  in  others  cream  and  milk.  On 
a  shelf  lay  several  small  cheeses,  and  on  another  a 
parcel  of  roots  like  Jerusalem  artichokes,  which 
seemed  to  have  been  roasted.  All  this  did  but  con- 
firm the  opinion  we  were  in  that  it  was  no  hermit- 
age, there  being  sullicient  to  gratify  the  appetite,  as 
well  as  to  support  nature.  Therefore,  not  knowing 
what  to  think  of  the  master  of  the  house,  we  made 
no  long  stay,  but  concluded  to  haste  and  get  our 
fish  dressed,  it  being  near  dinner-time  ;  and  as  the 
trees  stood  very  thick  in-land,  and  might  conceal 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  H 

men  from  our  sight  till  we  came  too  near  to  shun 
thcnii,  we  thought  it  proper  to  walk  on  ihe  outside 
near  the  rocks,  that  we  might  see  at  some  distance 
before  us. 

Walking  along,  a  phlegm  sticking  in  my  throat, 
I  happened  to  hawk  pretty  loud,  the  noise  was  an- 
swered from,  I  believe,  twenty  places  of  the  rock, 
and  in  as  many  ditterent  sounds,  ^^hich  alarmed 
Alvarado,  v,;\\o  look  it  to  be  a  signal  from  men  con- 
cealed up  and  down  the  rock,  not  considering  the 
difliculty  of  their  coming  at  us,  there  being  a  lake 
at  the  foot  of  it  which  they  must  have  been  obliged 
to  wade  over,  and  which  would  have  given  us  time 
to  get  away :  but  fear,  which  often  blinds  reason, 
represented  the  evil  infallible  to  his  thought,  which 
was  morally  impossible.  I  did  all  I  could  to  make 
him  sensible  they  were  but  echoes  ;  and,  to  convince 
him  thereof,  I  gave  a  loud  hem,  which  was  answered 
in  like  manner,  but  by  being  a  second  time  repeated 
and  by  a  louder  voice,  I  was  certain  the  last  did 
not  proceed  from  me,  which  put  me  in  apprehension 
that  somebody  beside  myself  had  hemmed  also.  My 
companion,  whose  countenance  being  tinned  as  pale 
as  death,  expressed  the  excess  of  his  fears,  would 
have  run  away,  had  not  the  voice  come  from  the 
very  way  we  were  to  go.  "  Now,"  said  he,  (hardly 
able  to  utter  his  words  for  trembling)  "you  are,  I 
hope,  convinced  that  it  would  have  been  safer  for  us 
to  retire,  instead  of  gratifying  your  unreasonable 
curiosity;  what  do  you  think  will  become  of  us?" 
The  young  fellow,  at  these  words,  falls  a  weeping, 
saying,  he  wished  he  had  missed  the  getting  of  that 
money  which  was  likely  to  be  dearly  earned.  I  must 
confess  I  began  to  be  a  little  apprehensive  of  dan- 
ger, and  wished  myself  sale  away,  but  concealed  my 
thoughts,  heartening  them  as  well  as  I  could,  and 
representing  the  danger  equal,  either  moving  for- 
wards or  standing  stUl,  I  at  last  pcrsViaded  Ihein  to 
go  on. 


IZ  1HE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

We  were  scarcely  gone  forty  paces  farther  before 
we  perceived,  at  a  considerable  distance,  some- 
thing like  a  man,  with  another  creature,  but  pre- 
sently lost  them  among  the  trees  before  we  could 
have  a  full  view  of  them  ;  which  made  every  one  of 
us  conceive  a  ditfercnt  idea  of  what  we  had  seen. 
Alvararlo  would  have  it  it  was  a  giant  and  a  man  of 
common  size  witii  him,  and  both  armed  cap-a-pie. 

The  poor  lad,  who  was  already  as  bad  as  a  slave, 
being  bound  to  a  severe,  ill-tempered  master,  feared 
death  more  than  bondage,  so  took  what  he  had 
seen  for  some  she-bear  an<l  one  of  her  whelps  with 
her  to  make  her  yet  more  dreadful;  and,  by  all 
means,  woidd  have  thrown  himself  into  the  lake,  in 
order  to  get  at  the  other  side  of  the  rock  :  thus  the 
danger  appeared  to  each  of  ihem  to  be  what  they 
dreaded  most;  but  I  was  somewhat  better  composed 
in  mind  than  they.  I  gave  the  object  I  saw  the 
likeliest  rc-emblance  the  time  it  was  in  sight  would 
permit,  which  I  could  adapt  to  nothing  but  a  man 
of  common  size,  and  somewhat  like  a  dog  with 
him  ;  so  persisting  in  my  opinion,  made  them  waver 
in  theirs:  thus  we  went  on  something  better  com- 
posed. 

Being  gone  about  an  hundred  yards  farther,  we 
saw  the  same  agiin,  but  nearer  hand  and  without 
interruption,  the  place  being  pretty  clear  of  trees; 
thus,  having  a  full  view,  we  were  all,  to  our  griat 
satisfaction,  convinced  that  what  had  been  taken 
for  a  formidable  giant,  and  a  terrible  she-bear,  was 
but  an  ordinary  man  ;  but  that  which  was  with  him 
running  up  a  tree  as  soon  as  he  perceived  us,  pre- 
vented our  discerning  what  animal  it  was;  but  the 
man,  who  walked  on  apace,  soon  came  within  the 
leacii  of  a  more  certain  discernment,  and  appeared 
to  be  a  venerable  old  man,  with  a  worshipful  white 
b<?ard  which  covered  his  naked  breast,  and  a  long 
heart  of  hair  of  the  same  colour,  which,  spreading 
over  bia  shoulders,  bung  down  to  his  loins. 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  13 

His  presence,  which  inspired  respect  more  than 
fear,  soon  recalled  the  frightened  folks'  scared  senses, 
■who,  to  recover  their  faint  -  heartedness,  excused 
themselves  by  tlie  misrepresentation  distance  causes 
in  objects.  The  old  man,  who  by  that  time  was 
come  near  enough  to  discern  our  speaking  Englisli, 
let  fall  a  bundle  of  sticks  he  had  under  one  arm  and 
a  hatchet  he  carried  in  the  other  hand,  and  runs  to 
to  me,  being  the  next  to  him,  embracing  me,  and 
saying, 

"  Dear  countrymen,  for  I  hear  you  are  English- 
men, by  what  accident  are  you  come  hither?  a 
place,  tlie  approach  whereof  is  defended  by  a  tliou- 
sand  perils  and  dangers,  and  not  to  be  come  at  but 
by  a  narrow  escape  of  death.  Are  ye  shipwrecked  J" 

"  No,  thank  God,"  said  I,  "most  reverend  father, 
it  was  mere  curiosity  that  brooght  us  hither ;  these 
perils  which  you  say  defend  the  approach  of  this 
island  being  absent  by  the  extraordinary  calmness 
of  the  sea.  But,  if  I  may  ask,  pray  how  came  you 
hither?" 

"  By  the  help  of  Providence,"  replied  the  good  old 
man,  "  who  snatched  me  out  of  the  ravenous  jaws 
of  death,  to  fix  me  in  this  safe  and  peaceable  spot 
of  land.  1  was  shipwrecked,  thanks  to  my  Maker ! 
and  was  saved  by  being  cast  away." 

"  I  conceive,  sir,"  said  I,  "  you  have  been  chaced 
by  some  pirates,  and  escaped  slavery  by  striking 
upon  the  rocks  which  surround  this  island ;  but 
now  you  have  avoided  that  dismal  fate,  embrace 
the  lucky  opportunity  of  getting  away  trom  a  place 
so  remote  trom  human  assistance,  wliich  your  age 
makes  you  stand  in  need  of." 

"  Thai's  your  mistake,"  replied  the  old  man : 
"he  who  trusts  in  God  needs  no  other  help." 

"  I  allow  that,  sir,"  said  I ;  "  but  our  trust  in 
God  doth  not  require  us  to  cast  away,  or  desoise, 
the  help  of  man.  1  do  not  in  tlie  least  question  vouf 
piety,  but  mistrust  the  frailty  of  nature  and  deDiluy 


14  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

of  age ;  therefore  would  have  yon  come  and  live 
within  the  reach  of  attendance.  You  may,  without 
slackening  your  devotion,  live  in  the  world ;  yoa 
shall  have  no  occasion  to  concern  yourself  with  any 
cares  that  may  disturb  your  pious  thoughts." 

"  No,"  replied  the  old  man,  "  was  I  to  be  made 
emperor  of  Uie  universe,  I  would  not  be  concerned 
with  the  world  again  ;  nor  would  you  require  me, 
did  you  but  know  the  happiness  I  enjoy  out  of  it. 
Come  along  %vilh  me  ;  and  if,  after  you  have  seen 
how  I  live  here,  you  persist  in  your  advice,  I  will 
say  you  have  no  notion  of  a  happy  life." 

"  I  have,  good  sir,"  said  I,  "  already  seen,  with 
great  admiration,  your  matchless  habitation;  but 
there  are  other  necessaries  your  age  requires,  as 
clothes  to  exclude  the  injuries  of  the  air,  and  meat 
suitable  to  the  weakness  of  your  stomach." 

"  That  is  your  mistake,"  replied  the  old  man :  "  I 
want  for  no  clothes ;  I  have  a  change  for  every 
season  of  the  year;  I  am  not  confined  to  fashions, 
but  suit  my  own  conveniences.  Now  this  is  my 
summer  dress;  and  I  put  on  warmer  as  the  weather 
grows  colder :  and  for  meat,  1  have  fish,  flesh,  and 
fowl,  and  as  choice  as  any  man  can  wish  for. 
Come,  you  shall  dine  with  me,  and  ten  to  one  but 
I  may  give  you  venison,  and  perhaps  a  dish  of  wild 
fowl  too;  let  us  go  and  see  what  Providence  has 
sent  ns."  So  we  went  to  a  wood  about  a  mile  far- 
ther, where  he  had  fastened  several  low  nets  in 
ditferent  gaps  in  the  thickset;  in  one  of  which  hap- 
pened to  be  an  animal  something  like  a  fawn,  twice 
as  big  as  a  hare,  the  colour  of  a  fox,  and  faced  and 
footed  like  a  goat.  "  Did  I  not  tell  you,"  said  the 
good  man,  "  I  might  chance  to  give  you  venison  ? 
Now  let  us  look  after  the  fowls."  So  we  went  a 
little  farther,  at  a  place  where  he  had  hung  a  long 
net  between  two  high  trees,  at  the  bottom  of  which 
was  fastened  a  bag  of  the  same  to  receive  the  fowls, 
who  iu  the  night,  being  stopped  by  the  net,  fluttered 


THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  15 

to  the  bottom.  There  also  happened  to  be  game  ;  a 
couple  of  fowls  made  like  voodcocks  but  of  the 
bigness  and  colour  of  a  pheasant  were  taken  at  the 
bottom  of  a  bag.  "  Now,"  said  the  old  man,  "these 
I  have  without  committing  the  sin  of  bidding  less 
for  them  than  I  know  they  are  really  worth,  or 
making  the  poulterers  swear  they  cost  them  more 
than  they  did.  Well,  now  I  may  give  you  a  dish  of 
fish  also,  it  is  but  going  luilf  a  mile  or  thereabouts." 

"  There  is  no  need.  Sir,"  said  I,  "  for  any  more  ; 
there  are  but  four  of  us,  and  here  is  provision  for 
half  a  score;  but  if  you  are  disposed  for  fish,  we 
have  some  in  a  boat  on  the  other  side  of  a  rock; 
it  is    but  going  for  tliem." 

"  Very  well,"  said  the  old  man,  "  it  is  but 
going  about  a  inile,  then  strip  and  wade  over  a 
lake,  then  climb  up  a  rugged  rock  twice  backward 
and  forward,  to  fetch  what  we  can  have  for  only 
taking  a  pleasant  walk,  all  the  while  diverted  with 
the  sweet  hannony  of  a  number  of  fine  birds.  Look 
here  ;  this  complaisance  often  puts  men  to  a  world 
of  needless  trouble  :  come,  we'll  make  a  shift  to 
pick  a  dinner  out  of  these." 

"  Sir,"  said  I,  "  it  is^no  shift  where  there  is  such 
plenty." 

^  Plenty  !"  said  the  old  man,  "  why  I  tell  ye, 
this  is  a  second  garden  of  Etlen ;  only  here  is  no 
forbidden  fruit,  nor  women  to  tempt  a  man." 

"  I  see.  Sir,"  said  I,  "  Providence  supplies  you 
plentifully  with  necessaries,  if  age  does  not  deprive 
you  of  strength." 

"  Age  I"  replied  the  old  man,  "  why  I  am  not  so 
old  as  t.'iat  comes  to,  neither  :  I  was  but  eighl-and- 
twenty  when  I  was  cast  away,  and  that  is  but  fifty 
years  ago.  Indee  I,  if  I  lived  as  you  do  that 
dwell  in  the  wise  world,  who  hurry  on  your  days 
as  if  your  end  came  on  too  slow,  I  might  be  ac- 
counted old." 

"  I  do  not    gainsay,  reverend    father,  but  that 


16  THE  ENGLISH  HERHIT. 

j'on  bear  your  age  wonderfully  well ;  but  a  multipli- 
city  of  days  must  make  the  strongest  nature  bend : 
yes,  time  will  break  the  toughest  constitution,  and, 
by  what  you  say,  you  have  seen  a  considerable 
number  of  years." 

"  Yes,"  replied  the  old  man,  "  a  few  days  have 
run  over  my  head  ;  but  I  never  strove  to  out-ran 
them,  as  they  do  that  live  too  fast.  Well,"  says  he, 
"  you  are  a  young  man,  and  have  seen  fewer  days 
than  I,  yet  you  may  be  almost  worn  out.  Come, 
match  this,'  says  he;  with  that  he  gave  a  hem 
with  such  strength  and  clearness  that  the  sound 
made  my  ears  tingle  for  some  minutes  after. 

"  Indeed,  Sir,"  said  I,  "  you  have  so  far  out- 
done what  I  can  pretend  to  do,  that)  I  will  not  pre 
sume  to  imitate  you." 

"Then  I  am  afraid,"  said  he,  "you  will  prove  to 
be  the  old  man.  Well,  then  you  or  your  friend, 
the  strongest  of  you,  fetch  hither  that  stone ;  it 
does  not  look  to  be  very  heavy,"  pointing  at  a 
large  stone  that  lay  about  two  yards  ott. 

"I  will  endeavour.  Sir,"  said  I,  "to  roll  it; 
for  I  dare  say  it  is  past  my  strength  to  lift  it." 

So,  to  please  the  old  man,  I  went  to  take  it  up ; 
but  could  hardly  move  it. 

"  Come,  come,"  said  the  old  gentleman,  "  I  fijjd 
that  must  be  work  for  me."  With  that  he  goes, 
takes  up  the  stone,  and  tosses  it  to  the  place  he  bid 
me  bring  it.  "  I  see,"  said  he,  "  you  have  exerted 
your  strength  too  often,  which  makes  you  now  so 
weak  :  well,  you  see  the  advantage  of  living  re- 
mote from  the  world.  Had  you  had  less  of  human 
assistance,  I  am  apt  to  believe  you  would  not  want 
it  so  soon  as  you  are  likely  to  do.  Come,  let  us 
make  much  of  that  little  strength  we  have  left, 
taking  necessary  support  at  proper  times;  it  is  now 
past  noon,  therefore  let  us  lose  no  time,  but  haste 
noine  10  get  our  dinner  ready." 

So  we  went  back   to  the  place  where  tie  bundle 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  17 

of  Sticks  lay,  which  we  made  the  young:  fellow  with 
us  carry,  and  went  directly  to  the  kitchen,  where, 
whilst  he  made  a  fire,  one  cast  the  animal,  and  the 
other  two  pulled  the  fowls. 

"  I  am  sorry,"  said  the  old  man,  "  you  must 
take  that  trouble,  but  your  presence  has  Iri-hteiied 
away  my  servant,  who  used  to  do  that  work  for 
me." 

"  Have  you  a  servant,  then.  Sir  V  said  I. 

"Yes,"  said  he,  "and  one  a  native  of  this 
island." 

"Then  I  find.  Sir,"  said  I,  "this  island  is  in- 
habited." 

"  Yes,"  answered  the  old  man,  "with  monkeys 
and  myself,  but  nobody  else,  thank  God;  other\w.se, 
I  can  tell  you,  I  should  hardly  have  lived  so  long." 

"Then,  Sir,"  said  I,  "  I  suppose  that  was  it  we 
saw  run  up  a  tree?" 

"  Yes,"  said  he,  "  my  monkey,  like  myself,  loves 
not  much  company." 

"  Pray,  Sir,"  said  I,  "how  did  you  bring  him  so 
well  under  command,  as  to  keep  him  with  you 
when  he  has  liberty  to  run  away  ?  I  wonder  the 
wild  ones  do  not  entice  him  from  you." 

"I  had  him  young,"  replied  the  old  man,  "and 
made  very  much  of  him,  which  those  creatures 
dearly  love  :  besides,  when  he  was  grown  up,  the 
wild  ones  would  not  sutler  him  amongst  them,  so 
he  was  forced  to  remain  with  me.  I  iiad  another 
before  this ;  but  he,  I  may  say,  was  sent  by  Provi- 
dence, both  to  be  a  help  and  diversion  to  ji.e ; 
for  he  was  so  knowing  that  lie  took  a  great  deal  of 
labour  off  my  hands,  and  dispersed  many  auxions 
hours,  which  the  irksomeness  of  my  solitude  had 
created.  It  is  now  about  twelve  y(!3"s  since; 
for  I  keep  a  memorial,  which  indeed  I  designed  to 
have  been  a  journal ;  but  I  unTortunately  let  the 
regular  order  of  the  days  slip  out  of  my  memory  ; 
however,  I  observed  a   seventh  day,  and   reckoned 

c 


18  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

the  years  from  winter  to  winter  ;  so   I  cannot  v.ell 
mistake. 

"  One  day,  when  I  had  roasted  a  quantity  of 
roots,  which  I  eat  instead  of  bread,  liaving  spread 
them  on  my  table  and  chest  to  cool,  in  order  to  lay 
them  by  for  use,  I  went  out,  leaving  my  door  open 
to  let  Ihe  air  in. 

"  Having  walked  an  honr  or  two,  I  returned 
home,  where  I  found  a  monkey,  whom  the  smcil 
of  the  hot  roots  had  broiiijht ;  who,  during  my 
absence,  had  been  eating.  My  presence  very  much 
surprized  him,  yet  he  still  kept  his  place,  only  dis- 
conlinned  eating,  staring  me  in  the  lace  :  the  unex- 
pected guest  at  once  startled  me  and  tilled  me 
M'ilh  admiration;  for,  certainly,  no  creature  of  its 
kind  could  be  compared  to  it  for  beauty.  His 
back  was  of  a  lively  green,  his  face  and  belly  of  a 
lively  yellow  :  his  coat,  all  over,  shining  like 
burnished  gold.  The  extraordinary  beauty  of  the 
creature  rai>ed  in  me  an  ardent  desire  to  keep 
him  ;  but  1  despaired  of  ever  making  him  tame, 
being  come  to  his  full  growth  :  therefore,  having 
resolved  to  k<jep  him  tied,  I  went  in  and  shut 
the  door.  The  beast,  which,  till  then,  had  not 
offered  to  make  his  escape,  appeared  very  much 
.  disturbed,  and  stared  about  him  for  some  place  to 
get  out  at.  Perceiving  his  disorder,  I  did  iiot 
advance,  but  turned  my  back  to  him,  to  give  liim 
time  to  compose  himself,  which  he  in  a  short  time 
did,  as  appeared  by  his  falling  to  eat  again ;'  which 
made  me  conceive  hopes  that  I  should  in  time 
make  him  familiar.  Having  about  me  stale  roasted 
roots  which  eat  much  pleasanter  than  the  fresh  and 
are  less  stutting,  I  threw  some  at  him,  at  which  he 
seemed  di.-pleased,  and  stood  still  a  while  staring  in 
my  face;  but  my  looking  well  pleased,  which  I  believe 
the  animal  was  sensible  of,  made  him  pick  them 
up  and  fall  to  eating  with  a  fresh  appetite.  I  was 
overjoyed  at  his  easy  composure ;  so  reached  him 


THB  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  19 

water  in  a  shell,  that  the  want  of  nothing  might 
induce  liim  to  a  retreat.  I  set  it  down  as  near 
him  as  I  could  without  disturbing  him  ;  he  came 
to  it  very  orderly,  and,  having  drunk  his  fill,  he 
laid  it  down  and  looked  me  in  the  face,  care'essly 
scratching  his  backside  :  seeing  he  had  done,  I  ad- 
vanced and  took  away  the  shell,  at  which  he  never 
stirred. 

"  The  forward  disposition  of  the  beast  towards  a 
perfect  familiarity  made  me  resolve  to  stay  within 
the  remainder  of  the  day,  no  wise  questioning  but 
my  company  would  in  a  great  measure  advance  it. 
So  I  made  shift  to  sup  upon  a  few  roots  I  had  about 
me,  and  went  pretty  early  to  bed  ;  where  I  was  no 
sooner  laid,  but  the  creature  got  across  the  feet, 
and  continued  very  quiet  till  the  next  morning 
when  I  got  up  ;  at  which  time  he  was  also  watching 
my  actions.  I  made  very  much  of  him,  wliich  he 
took  very  composedly,  standing  still  to  be  stroked. 
Then  indeed  I  thought  myself  in  a  manner  secure 
of  him,  and  gave  him  his  belly-full,  as  I  had  done 
the  day  before ;  but  having  a  pressing  occasion  to 
go  out,  I  went  to  the  door,  thinking  to  shut  him  in 
till  my  return  ;  but  he  followed  me  so  close  that 
I  could  not  open  it  without  endangering  his  getting 
out,  which,  tliough  he  appeared  pretty  tame,  I  did 
not  care  to  venture,  our  acquaintance  being  so 
very  new  ;  yet,  as  I  was  obliged  to  go,  I  ran  the 
hazard :  so  I  opened  the  door  by  degrees,  that,  in 
case  the  beast  should  ofter  to  run,  I  might  take 
the  opportunity  to  slip  out  and  keep  him  in  ;  but 
the  creatine  never  ottering  to  ^o  any  farther  than  I 
went,  I  trusted  him  to  go  with  me,  hoping  that,  if 
he  went  away,  the  kind  usage  he  met  with  would 
one  day  or  other  make  him  come  back  again  ; 
but  to  my  great  surprize,  as  well  as  satisfaction,  he 
readily  returned  with  me,  having  waited  my  time  : 
yet,  as  I  had  occasion  to  go  out  the  second  time, 
wanting  sticks  to  make  a  fire,  for  which    I  was 

C  2 


30  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

obliged  to  go  near  the  place  where  most  of  his 
kind  resorted,  I  was  afraid  to  trust  him  with  me, 
lest  he  should  be  decoyed  by  the  others  ;  therefore, 
having  taken  up  a  bundle  of  cords  with  which  I 
tie  up  my  faggots,  I  watched  an  opportunity  to 
get  out  and  leave  him  behind  :  but  the  beast  was 
certainly  apprehensive  of  my  design,  for  he  always 
kept  near  tiie  door,  looking  steadfastly  at  my 
bundle  of  cords  as  desirous  of  such  another;  which 
I  not  having  for  him,  cut  a  piece  off  mine,  and 
gave  it  him  ;  and,  seeing  I  could  not  leave  him 
behind,  I  ventured  to  let  him  go  with  me,  which 
he  did  very  orderly,  never  ottering  to  go  one  step 
out  of  the  way  ;  though  others  of  this  kind  came 
to  look  at  him  as  he  went  by. 

"  Being  come  to  the  place  where  I  used  to  cut 
dry  sticks,  having  cut  down  a  sufficient  quantity, 
I  began  to  lay  some  across  my  cord.  The  creature, 
having  taken  notice  of  it,  did  the  same  to  his, 
and  with  so  much  dexterity  and  agility  that  his 
faggot  was  larger  and  sooner  made  than  mine ; 
which,  by  that  time  being  large  enough  and  as 
much  as  he  could  well  carry,  I  bound  it  up  ;  which 
set  him  to  do  the  same  with  his,  that  was  abund- 
antly too  large  a  load  for  him. 

"Our  faggots  being  made,  I  took  up  that  which  I 
had  made  to  see  how  he  \vould  go  about  taking 
up  his  ;  which  being  much  too  heavy  for  him  he 
could  not  lift :  so,  running  round  it  I  believe  twenty 
times,  he  looked  me  in  the  face,  as  craving  help. 
Having  been  sufficiently  diverted  with  the  out-of- 
the-way  shifts  he  made,  I  gave  him  mine  and  took 
up  his :  the  poor  animal  appeared  overjoyed  at 
the  exchange ;  therefore  cheerfully  took  up  the 
bundle  and  followed  me  home. 

"  Seeing  myself,  according  to  all  probability,  sure 
of  the  dear  creature,  whose  late  actions  gave  me 
such  ground  to  hope  from  him  both  service  and 
pleasure,  I  returned  my  hearty  thanks  to  kind  Pro- 


THE  ENGLISH  RER3IZT.  2] 

vidcnce  for  Jts  late  prodigioHS  gift ;  for  certainly 
it  was  never  lieard  of  before,  tliat  in  a  desert  place 
one  of  those  wild  animals  who  fly  at  the  single  ap- 
pearance of  a  human  creature  should  volnnfarily 
give  itself  to  a  man,  and  from  the  very  beginning 
be  so  docile  and  tractable.  Oh  !  siuely  it  was  en- 
dued with  more  than  natural  instinct,  for  perfect 
reason  was  seen  in  all  its  actions  !  Indeed  I  was 
happy  whilst  I  had  him;  but  my  happiness,  alas! 
was  not  ol  long  standing." 

As  he  spoke,  I  perceived  tears  in  bis  eyes. 
"  Pray,  Sir,"  said  I,  "  what  became  of  that 
wonderful  creature  V 

"  Alas  !"  said  he,  "  he  was  killed  by  monkeys  of 
the  other  kind,  which  fell  upon  him  one  day  as 
he  was  going  for  water  by  himself:  for  the  poor 
dear  creature  was  grown  so  knowing  that  if  at  any 
time  either  firing  or  water  was  wanted,  I  had 
nothing  to  do  but  give  him  the  bundle  of  cords  or 
the  empty  vessel,  and  he  would  straight  go  and 
fetch  either :  in  short  he  wanted  nothing  but 
speech  to  complete  him  for  human  society." 

"  Indeed,  Sir,"  said  I,  "  I  cannot  blame  yon  for 
bemoaning  the  loss  of  so  incomparable  a  creature  ; 
the  account  you  give  of  him.  well  entitles  his 
memory  to  regret :  but  I  hope  this  you  have- 
now,  in  a  great  measure,  makes  up  your  loss." 

"  Oh  !  not  by  far,"  replied  the  old  man  :  "  indeed 
he  goes  about  with  me,  and  will  carry  a  faggot  or 
a  vessel  of  water,  pick  a  fowl,  turn  the  spit  or 
string  when  meat  is  roasting  ;  yet  he  is  nothing 
like  my  late  dear  Beau-fidelle,  for  so  I  called  that 
most  lovely  creature  :  besides  this  is  unlucky  ;  in 
imitating  me  he  often  does  me  mischief.  It  was 
but  the  other  day  that  I  had  been  writing  for  five 
or  six  hours ;  I  had  occasion  to  go  out,  and  hap- 
pened to  leave  my  pen  and  ink  upon  tlie  table,  and 
the  parchment  I  had  been  writing  on  close  by 
it :   I   was  no  sooner   gone,   but  the  mischievous 


22  THE  ENGLISH  HEBMIT. 

beast  falls  to  work  scribbling  over  every  •word  I 
had  been  writing; ;  and,  when  he  had  done,  he  lays 
it  by  in  the  chest,  as  he  saw  me  do  what  I  had 
written,  and  takes  ont  another,  which  he  does  the 
same  to,  and  so  to  half  a  score  more  ;  my  return 
prevented  his  doing  more  mischief:  however,  in  a 
quarter  of  an  hour  that  I  was  absent,  he  blotted 
out  as  much  as  I  had  been  full  six  months  writing. 
Indeed  I  was  anjiry  and  could  have  beaten  him; 
but  that  I  considered  my  revenge  would  not  have 
repaired- the  damage,  but  rather  perhaps  added  to 
my  loss,  by  making  the  beast  run  away." 

"Pray,  Sir,"  said  I,  "  how  came  you  by  him? 
Did  he  also  give  himself  to  you?" 

No,"  replied  the  old  man,  "  I  had  him  young, 
and  by  mere  accident,  unexpected  and  unsought  for; 
having  lost  both  time  and  labour  about  getting  one 
in  the  room  of  him  I  had  so  unfortunately  lost.  The 
old  ones  are  so  fond  of  their  young  that  they  never 
are  from  them,  unless  in  their  play  they  chace  one 
another  into  the  other  kind's  quarters,  where  their 
dams  dare  not  follow  them  ;  for  they  are  such 
enemies  to  one  another  that  tliey  watch  all  oppor- 
tunities to  catch  all  they  can  of  the  contrary  sort, 
wLich  they  immediately  strangle  ;  which  keeps  their 
increase  very  backward,  that  would  Otherwise  grow 
too  numerous  for  the  food  the  island  produces ; 
which,  is  I  believe,  the  cause  of  their  animosity. 

"  About  eight  years  ago,  which  is  about  the  time 
I  have  had  this  beasr,  I  was  walking  under  one  of 
the  clusters  of  trees  where  the  green  sort  of 
monkeys  harbour,  which  being  the  largest  and  most 
shady  in  the  island,  I  took  the  most  delight  therein: 
as  I  was  walking,  at  a  sm;dl  distance  from  me  this 
creature  dropt  otf  a  tree  and  lay  for  dead,  which 
being  of  the  grey  kind  njade  me  wonder  less  at  the 
accident.  I  went  and  took  him  up ;  and  acci- 
dentally handling  his  throat  I  opened  his  windpipe, 
which  was  almost  squeezed   close   by  that  which 

I 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  23 

took  him,  which  my  sudden  coining  frevented 
from  strangling  quite.  I  was  extremely  well  pleased 
at  this  event,  by  which  I  got  what  my  past  cares 
and  diligence  never  could  produce  me.  Having 
pretty  well  recovered  its  breath,  and  seeing  no 
visible  hurt  about  it,  I  imagined  that  L  soon  might 
recover  it  quite  ;  so  hastened  home  \\  ini  it,  gave  it 
warm  milk  and  laid  it  on  my  bed:  so  that  with 
careful  nursing  I  quite  recovered  him;  and  with 
good  keeping  made  the  rogue  thrive  to  that  degree 
that  he    has  outgrown  the  rest  of  his  kind." 

"  No  question,  Sir,"  said  I,  "  having  taken  such 
pains  witli  him,  you  love  him  as  well  as  his  pre- 
decessor." 

*'  I  cannot  say  so  neither,"  replied  the  old  man ; 
"  though  I  cannot  say  but  that  I  love  the  creature: 
but  its  having  the  ill  fortune  to  be  of  thaf  unlucky 
kind  which  was  the  death  of  my  dear  Beau  tidelle 
in  a  great  measure  lessens  my  alt'ectinn.  Hesides, 
he  falls  so  short  both  of  his  merit  and  beauty,  that 
I  must  give  the  (feceased  the  preference  :  and  was 
it  not  for  his  cunning  tricks,  which  often  divert  me, 
I  shoidd  hardly  value  him  at  all  ;  but  he  is  so  very 
cunning  and  facetious  that  he  makes  nie  love  him, 
notwithstanding  I  mortally  hate  his  kind.  I  must 
diveit  you,  whilst  dinner  is  getting  ready,  with  an 
account  of  some  of  his  tricks. 

"  Being  extremely  fond  of  mc,  he  very  seldom 
would  be  from  me,  but  followed  me  every  a\  here ; 
and,  as  he  used  to  go  with  me  when  I  went  to 
examine  my  nets,  seeing  me  now  and  then  take 
out  game,  he  would  of  his  own  accord,  when  he  saw 
me  busy  writing,  go  and  fetch  what  4iappened  to 
be  taken. 

"  One  day,  finding  a  fowl  in  the  net-bag,  he 
pulled  it  alive  as  he  brought  it  home ;  so  that  I 
could  not  see  any  thing  whereby  to  disctru  its 
kind.  As  soon  as  he  came  in,  he  set  it  down  with 
such  motions  as  expressed  joy  :  (he   poor  naked 


24  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

fowl  wa?  no  sooner  out  of  his  clutches  than  it  took 
to  Its  legs,  for  want  of  winjs  ;  its  sudden  escape 
so  surpri/.ed  the  captor  that  he  stood  amazed  for  a 
while,  which  gave  the  poor  creature  time  to  gain  a 
considerable  scope  of  ground  ;  but  the  astonished 
beast,  being  recovered  from  liis  surprize,  soon  made 
after  it,  but  was  a  considerable  time  before  he  could 
catch  it,  liaving  nothing  to  lay  hold  of;  so  that  the 
fowl  would  slip  out  of  his  hands.  The  race  held 
about  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  in  which  time  the  poor 
creature  having  run  itself  out  of  breath,  was  forced 
to  lie  down  liefore  its  pursuer,  who  immediately 
threw  himself  upon  it ;  so  took  it  np  in  his  arms, 
and  brought  it  home,  but  was  not  so  ready  to  fet  it 
down  as  before,  for  he  held  it  by  one  leg  till  I  had 
lai  I  hold  of  it. 

"  I  had  a  second  time  as  good  diversion,  but 
after  another  manner.  One  morning  early,  whilst 
I  was  busy  in  jny  cottage,  he  went  out  unperceived 
by  me ;  and,  having  been  a  considerable  time 
absent,  I  feared  that  such  another  accident  had  be- 
fallen him  as  that  which  had  happened  to  his  pre- 
decessor; so  I  went  to  see  after  him;  and  as  he 
would  often  go  and  vi>it  the  nets  in  the  woods,  I 
went  there  first,  where  I  found  liim  very  busy  with 
such  an  animal  as  this  we  have  here,  which  he 
found  taken  in  oue  of  the  gap-nets,  and  being  nearly 
as  big  as  himself,  kept  him  a  while  struggling  for 
mastership.  Sometimes  he  would  take  it  by  the 
ears,  now  and  then  by  one  leg,  next  by  tlie  tail ; 
but  could  not  get  him  ah>ng  :  at  last  he  l.tid  hoid  of 
one  of  his  hind  legs,  and  with  the  other  hand  smote 
him  on  the  back,  in  order  to  drive  him,  not  being 
able  to  pull  him  along;  but  the  beast,  being  too 
strong,  still  made  towards  the  thickset,  wlrire  he 
certainly  would  have  hailed  the  driver,  had  I  not 
come  up  to  help  him."  Thus  the  old  gentleman 
entertained  us  with  his  monkey's  tricks  whilst 
diuner  was  dressing. 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  25 

The  dinner  being  ready,  we  went  to  tlie  dwelling- 
place  to  eat  it,  leaving  tlie  young  fellow  that  was 
with  us  to  attend  the  roasted  meat,  while  we  ate 
the  tirst  dish. 

The  old  gentleman  having  laid  the  cloth,  which, 
thoughsomethingcoarse,  being  made  out  of  a  ship-sail, 
was  very  clean,  he  laid  three  sliells  on  it  about  the 
bigness  of  a  middle-sized  plate,  but  as  beautiful  as 
any  nakes  of  pearl  I  ever  saw.  "  Gentlemen,"  said 
he,"  if  yon  can  eat  otf  of  shells,  ye  are  welcome; 
1  have  no  better  plates  to  give  yon." 

"  Sir,"  said  I,  "  these  are  preferable  to  silver 
ones,  in  my  opinion,  and  I  very  much  question 
whether  any  prince  in  Europe  can  produce  so  cu- 
rious a  service." 

"  They  may  be  richer,"  replied  the  old  man,  "but 
not  cleaner." 

The  first  dish  he  served  was  sonp  in  a  large  deep 
shell,  as  fine  as  the  first,  and  one  spoon  made  of 
"shell,  which  he  said  was  all  his  stock,  being  not 
used  to,  nor  expecting,  company ;  however,  he  fetched 
a  couple  of  muscle -shells,  whicli  he  washed  very 
clean,  then  gave  Alvarado  one,  and  took  the  other 
himself,  obliging  me  to  make  use  of  the  spoon: 
so  we  sat  down,  Alvarado  and  I  upon  the  chest, 
which  we  drew  near  the  table,  and  the  old  gentle- 
man, though  much  against  his  will,  upon  the  chair. 

Being  set  down,  we  fell  to  eating  the  soup,  whose 
fragrant  smell  excited  my  appetite ;  and  I  profess 
the  taste  thereof  was  so  excellent  that  I  never  ate 
any  comparable  to  it  at  Pontac's,  nor  any  where 
before ;  it  was  made  of  one  half  of  the  beast  we  took 
in  the  morning,  with  several  sorts  of  herbs,  which 
eat  like  artichokes,  asparagus  and  celery,  there 
were  also  bits  of  roasted  roots  in  it,  instead  of  toasted 
bread,  which  added  much  to  the  richness  of  it, 
tasting  like  chesnuts:  but  what  surprised  me  most, 
there  were    green    peas  in    it,  whose  extraordinary 

.veetness  was  discernible  from  every  other  ingre- 


26  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

dient.  "  Pity,"  said  I,  "  the  access  to  tliis  island 
is  so  difficuit;  what  a  blessed  spot  of  land  would  it 
make,  were  it  but  inhabited!  Here  naturally  grows 
what  in  Europe  we  plough,  till  and  labonr  hard  for." 

"  Yon  say,"  replied  the  ohl  man,  "  this  woidd  be 
a  blessed  spot  of  ground  if  it  was  inhabited.  Now 
I  am  quite  of  another  opinion;  for  I  tiiink  its  bless- 
ing consists  in  its  not  being  inhabited,  being  free  of 
those  curses  your  popidous  and  celebrated  cities 
abound  in;  here  is  nothing  but  praises  and  thanks- 
givings heard,  and  as  for  nature  bestowing  freely, 
and  of  her  own  accord,  what  in  Europe  you  are 
obliged,  by  industry  and  hard  labour,  in  a  manner, 
to  force  from  her,  wonder  not  at.  Consider  how 
much  you  daily  rob  her  of  her  due,  and  charge  her 
with  slander  and  calumny.  Don't  you  frequently 
say,  if  a  man  is  addicted  to  any  vice,  that  it  is  his 
nature,  when  it  is  the  ettect  and  fruit  of  his  corrup- 
tion? So  Nature,  who  attended  the  great  Origin  of 
all  things  at  the  crea'ion,  is  now,  by  vile  wretches, 
deemed  in  fault  for  all  theic  wickedness.  Had  man 
remained  in  his  first  and  natural  state  of  innocence. 
Nature  would  also  have  continued  her  original  in- 
dulgence over  him.  We  may  now  think  ourselves 
very  happy  if  that  blessing  attends  our  labour  which, 
before  the  fall  of  man,  flowed  on  him,  accompanied 
with  ease  and  pleasure. 

"  Now  these  peas,  which  have  so  much  raised 
your  surprise,  are  indeed  the  growth  of  tliis  island, 
though  not  its  natural  product,  but  the  gitts  of  Pro- 
vidence and  the  fruits  of  labour  and  industry.  I  have 
tilled  the  ground,  Providenre  procured  the  seed. 
Nature  gave  it  growth,  and  Time  increase.  With 
seven  peas  and  three  beans  I  have,  in  four  years, 
raised  seed  enough  to  stock  a  piece  of  ground,  out 
of  which  1  gather  yearly  a  sufhcient  quantity  for  my 
use,  beside  preserving  fresh  seed." 

■'No  doubt.  Sir,"  said  I,  "but  when  right  means 
are  taken  prosperity  will  attend." 


THK  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  27 

By  that  time,  having  eaten  fufficienlly  of  the 
sonp,  he  himself  wonhl  cany  the  remains  to  the 
young  man  in  the  kitchen,  and  fetch  in  the  boiled 
meat  and  oyster  sauce,  which  he  brought  in  another 
shell  much  of  the  same  nature  with  that  which  the 
soup  was  served  in,  but  something  shallower;  which 
ate  as  delicious  as  house-lamb. 

Having  done  with  that,  he  fetches  in  the  other  half 
of  the  beast  roasted,  and  several  sorts  of  delicate 
pickles,  which  I  never  ate  of  before,  and  mushrooms, 
but  of  a  curious  colour,  flavour  and  taste.  "  These," 
said  he,  "are  the  natural  product  of  a  particular 
spot  of  ground;"  where,  at  a  certain  time  of  the 
year,  he  said,  he  gathered,  for  the  space  of  six  days 
onlj',  three  sizes  of  mushrooms;  for,  though  they 
were  all  buttons  and  fit  to  pickle,  by  that  time  he 
had  gathered  all,  he  had  also  to  stew,  and  some 
about  four  inches  over,  which  he  broiled ;  and  they 
eat  as  choice  as  any  veal-cutlet. 

"  These  pickles,  Sir,"  said  I,  "  though  far  exceed- 
ing any  I  ever  ate  in  Europe,  are  really  at  this  time 
needless ;  the  meat  wanting  nothing  to  raise  its 
relish,  no  flesh  being  more  delicious." 

Having  done  with  that,  I  ottered  to  take  it  away, 
but  he  in  no  wise  would  permit  me,  so  went  away 
with  it  himself  and  brought  the  fowls,  at  which  I 
was  somewhat  vexed  ;  for  I  feared  I  should  find 
no  room  in  my  stomach  for  any,  having  eaten  so 
heartily  of  the  meat;  but  having,  at  his  pressing  re- 
quest, tasted  them,  my  appetite  renewed  at  their 
inexpressible  deliciousness,  so  I  fell  to  eating  afresh. 

Having  done  with  that  dish,  the  young  man,  having 
nothing  to  do  in  the  kitchen,  came,  and  was  bid  to 
take  away,  and  fall  to.  In  the  mean  time  the  good 
old  man  fetched  us  out  of  his  dairy  a  small  cheese 
of  his  own  making,  which  being  set  down,  he  re- 
lated to  us  the  unaccountable  manner  he  came  by  he 
antelopes  which  supplied  him  with  the  milk  it  was 
made  with,  which  introduced   several   weighty  re- 


28  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

marks  on  the  wonderful  acts  of  Providence,  and  the 
strictness  of  the  obligations  we  lie  under  to  our 
great  Benefactor;  likewise  the  vast  encouragement 
we  have  to  love  and  serve  God,  the  benefits  and 
comforts  of  a  clear  conscience,  as  also  flie  inestima- 
ble treasure  of  content.  From  that  he  epitomized 
the  ditierent  tempers  and  dispositions  of  men,  much 
commending  timely  education,  as  being  a  means 
to  reverse  and  ciiange  evil  inclinations ;  highly 
praising  the  charity  of  those  pions  people  who 
choose  to  bestow  good  schooling  upon  poor  folks' 
children,  before  clothing,  and  even  food  ;  the  first 
being  rather  the  most  necessary,  and  the  last  the 
easiest  to  come  at. 

That  discourse  being  ended,  he  enquired  very 
carefully  after  the  state  of  his  dear  native  country, 
which  he  said  he  left  fifty  years  ago  in  a  very  in- 
dulgent disposition.  I  gave  liim  tlie  best  account  I 
could,  at  that  time,  of  all  the  transactions  that  had 
happened  in  England  since  liis  absence. 

"  The  relation  of  past  evils,"  said  he,  "  is  like 
pictures  of  earthquakes  and  sliipwreck,  which  affect 
tiie  mind  but  slightly  ;  and  though  I  think  myself 
out  of  my  Prince's  power,  yet  I  shall  always  partake 
with  my  countrymen's  grief.  Pray  lie  explicit. 
What  king  have  we  now  ?" 

"  A  complete  patriot,  and  father  to  his  subjects," 
paid  I  ;  "  both  tender-hearted  and  merciful,  en- 
couraging virtue,  and  suppressing  vice  ;  a  promoter 
of  religion,  and  an  example  of  charily." 

"  Then,"  said  he,  in  a  manner  which  expressed 
zeal  and  joy,. "  long  may  that  pious  monarch  live, 
and  his  posterity  for  ever  grace  tlie  British  throne! 
And  may  Old  England,  by  its  faithful  obedience 
an  1  loyalty,  henceforth  atone  for  its  past  rebellions, 
that  it  may  remove  that  execrable  reproach  it  now 
lies  under !"  To  which  we  all  said — "  Amen." 

Then  he  filled  up  the  shell  we  drank  out  of  and 
drank   good   King  George's  health,  which  was  sue- 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  29 

ceeded  with  that  of  the  royal  family,  and  prosperity 
to  the  church.  Thus  ended  a  most  delicious  and 
splendid  dinner,  and  a  conversation  both  deiightful 
and  instructive.  But  having  not  as  then  mentioned 
any  thing  about  Ids  own  history,  which  I  exceed- 
ingly longed  to  enquire  into,  I  begged  him  to  inform 
us  by  what  accident  he  came  hither,  and  how  he 
had  so  long  maintained  a  good  state  of  health.  To 
which  he  answered,  time  would  not  permit  him  to 
relate  his  own  history,  being  very  long,  and  the 
remainder  of  the  day  loo  sliort ;  but  that  he  would 
before  we  parted  give  it  me  in  writing;  having,  for 
want  of  other  occupation,  made  a  memorial.  But  as 
to  the  maintaining  of  his  healthy  he  would  tell  me 
by  word  of  mouth. 

"  The  receipt,"  said  he,  "  is  both  short  and  easy  ; 
yet  I  fear  yon  will  not  be  able  to  follow  it.  Look 
you,  you  must  use  none  but  wholesome  exercises, 
observe  a  sober  diet,  and  live  a  pious  life.  Now,  if 
you  can  confine  yourself  to  this  way  of  living,  I'll 
be  bound  that  you  will  both  preserve  your  health 
and  waste  less  money.  But,  what's  more  valuable 
than  all  that,  you  will  not  endanger  your  precious 
soul." 

I  returned  him  thanks  for  his  good  advice,  and 
promised  him  I  would  observe  it  as  strictly  as  I 
could. 

"  I  am  afraid,"  replied  he,  "  that  will  not  be  at 
all:  you  have  too  many  powerful  obstacles,  the 
world  and  the  flesh  from  wliom  your  affections  must 
be  entirely  withdrawn,  and  all  commerce  prohibited, 
H'hich  is  morally  impossible  whilst  living  ;  therefore 
tflnce  you  are  obliged  to  converse  with  the  world, 
I  will  give  you  a  few  cautions,  which,  if  rightly 
taken,  may  be  of  use  to  you. 

"  Make  not  the  world  your  enemy,  nor  rely  too 
much  on  its  fidelity. 

"  Be  not  too  free  with  your  friend  :  repetitions 
of  favours  often  wear  out  friendship. 


30  TUE  ENGLISH  HERMIT 

"  Waste  not  your  vigour  or  substance  on  women, 
lest  weakness  and  want  be  your  reward. 

"  Secrets  are  not  safe  in  a  woman's  breast ;  'tis 
a  confinement  the  sex  can't  bear. 

"  Pass  no  contract  over  liquor ;  wine  overcomes 
reason,  and  dulls  the  understanding. 

"  He  who  games  puts  his  money  in  jeopardy,  and 
is  not  sure  of  his  own. 

"  There's  but  little  honour  to  wager  on  sure 
grounds,  and  less  wisdom  to  lay  upon  a  chance. 

"  And  in  all  your  dealings  take  this  for  a  constant 
rule  : 

•  He  whom  unlawful  means  advance  to  gain, 
Instead  of  comfort,  finds  a  constant  pain  : 
What  e'en  by  lawful  artb  we  do  possess, 
Old  a^re  and 'sickness  make  it  comfortless. 
Be  riil'd  bv  me,  not  to  increase  your  store 
By  means  ui.^st  ;  for  'twill  but'make  ycu  poor, 
Take  but  your  due,  and  never  covet  more.' " 

I  returned  him  thanks  for  his  good  morals,  the 
copy  of  wliich  I  begged  lie  would  give  me  in 
writing,  for  my  better  putting  them  in  practice. 
To  which  he  readily  consented,  wishing  I  might 
observe  them  ;  and  being  very  sure  that  I  should 
reap  a  considerable  benefit  thereby,  both  here  and 
hereafter. 

The  day  being  pretty  far  spent,  I  was  obliged  to 
think  of  going,  which  grieved  me  much  ;  for  I  was 
8o  taken  with  his  company  that,  if  I  had  not  had  a 
father  and  mother,  whose  years  required  my  pre- 
sence, I  would  have  spent  the  rest  of  my  days  with 
him.  I  was  so  delighted  with  his  company,  and 
pleased  with  his  way  of  living,  that  I  almost  over- 
looked my  duty  ;  but,  after  a  struggle  with  my  in- 
clination,! was  obliged  to  yield  to  nature.  Thus, 
having  expressed  my  vexation  to  leave  so  good  a 
man,  1  took  my  leave.  The  good  old  man,  perceiv- 
ing my  regret  to  leave  him,  could  not  conceal  his 
to  part  with  me. 


THE   ENGLISH  HERMIT.  31 

"  Indeed,"  said  he,  with  tears  in  bis  eyes,  "  I 
should  have  been  very  glad  to  have  had  a  fellow- 
creature  in  this  solitary  island,  especially  one  whom 
I  think  possessed  of  a  good  inclination  ;  w^ich  I 
perceive  you  liave,  by  your  reluctance  at  leaving 
tliis  innocent  garden  of  life.  I  imagine  that  you 
have  relations  in  the  world  that  may  stand  in  need 
of  }ou  ;  Heaven  protect  you,  and  send  you  safe  to 
them  !  I  don't  imagine  that  you  will  ever  see  this 
island  again  ;  nor  would  I  advise  you  to  venture, 
the  approacii  of  it  is  so  dangerous:  therefore,  before 
you  go,  let  me  show  you  some  of  the  rarities  with 
which  it  abounds."  I  told  him  I  was  afraid  time 
would  not  permit;  but,  as  he  said  that  an  hour  or 
two  would  do,  and  we  had  day-light  enough,  I 
went  along  with  him. 

Going  out  and  seeing  the  guns  stand  behind  the 
door,  I  asked  what  he  did  with  tliem. 

"  1  keep  them,"  said  lie,  "  for  a  trophy  of  Provi- 
dence's victory  over  my  enemies,  and  a  monument 
of  my  fourtli  miraculous  deliverance." 

As  we  went  along,  he  related  to  us  the  manner 
in  which  he  had  been  sacrilegiously  robbed  once  by 
Indians  ;  villainously  infested  twice  by  pirates ; 
the  ruffians  having  combined  to  carry  him  away, 
like  a  slave  to  their  own  country,  and  there  make  a 
show  of  him,  as  if  he  had  been  a  monster. 

Talking,  we  walked  under  several  of  the  before 
mentioned  clusters  of  trees,  which  proceed  from  one 
single  plant :  being  come  to  one  larger  than  the 
rest,  and  which  he  said  he  frequented  most,  it  being 
the  largest  in  the  island^ 

"  Tliis,"  said  he,  "  covers  with  its  own  branches 
a  whole  acre  of  land  ;"  so  made  several  remarks 
on  the  wonderful  works  of  Nature  ;  "  which,"  said 
he,  "  were  all  intended  for  the  use  and  pleasure  of 
man  ;  every  thing  in  the  universe  containing  such 
ditterent  virtues  and  properties  as  were  requisitti  to 
render  life  happy."     From   that  he   made  se\erai 


32    .  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

more  reflections  on  the  fatal  effects  of  disobedience, 
which  is  accounted  a  slight  breach  in  duty,  but  is 
the  mother  of  all  sins. 

That  discourse  held  for  a  considerable  time,  till  a 
parcel  <>f  each  different  kind  of  monke3s  having 
met,  fell  to  fighting,  observing  an  admirable  order 
during  the  fray  ;  which  withdrew  our  admiration 
from  the  preceding  subject,  and  stopt  us  awhile  to 
observe  them. 

The  scuffle  was  very  diverting  whilst  it  lasted, 
■which  was  but  a  short  time  ;  for  they  happened  to 
perceive  us :  at  which  they  parted,  each  sort 
running  to  their  own  quarters,  which  were  not  very 
distant  from  one  anotlier,  so  that  from  it  they 
could  see  each  othe-'s  motions. 

"  I  am  sorry,"  said  I,  "  the  battle  was  so  soon 
over;  they  cuffed  one  another  so  prettily  that  I 
could  have  stood  an  hour  to  see  them." 

"  If  you  like  the  sport,"  said  the  old  man,  "  I  can 
soon  set  them  at  it  again."  With  that  he  took  out 
of  his  breeches-pocket  some  roasted  roots,  which  he 
commonly  carried  about  him,  to  throw  at  them 
when  he  went  tliat  way,  which  made  them  less'shy 
of  him. 

Having  broke  the  roots  in  bits,  he  laid  them  down 
in  their  sight ;  for  they  on  both  sides  were  peeping 
from  under  tlie  leaves  of  the  trees  where  tliey  har- 
boured :  then  he  cut  a  score  of  sticks  about  the 
bigness  of  one's  finger,  and  near  a  foot  and  an  half 
long,  and  laid  them  over  the  bits  of  roots  :  then  we 
retired  to  some  small  distance,  and  hid  ourselves 
behind  the  trees. 

We  were  no  sooner  out  of  sight  but  they  hastened 
to  tbe  meat ;  the  green  monkeys,  having  less  ground 
to  go,  were  at  them  first,  yet  never  stopt,  but  went 
on  to  hinder  the  others'  approach,  wlio  vigorously 
-strove  to  gain  ground.  The  struggle  was  hard,  and 
the  victory  often  wavering  ;  each  party  alternately 
gave  way :  at  last  the  grey  sort  kept  the  advantage. 


THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  33 

and  drove  their  adversaries  back,  who  being  come 
wJiere  liie  sticks  lay,  ininitdiattly  toolc  them  up, 
and  charged  their  enemies  with  tVesli  coinage,  like 
a  yielding  army  thabhas  received  new  forces;  tims, 
with  their  cliib.sters  in  the  front,  they  fell  on  their 
adversaries  with  great  vigour,  knocking  them  down 
like  our  Engli.^li  mob  at  an  election ;  and  so  drove 
them  batk  again  almost  to  their  own  quarters. 

In  the  mean  time,  stragglers  of  both  the  kinds, 
who  had  not  joined  with  the  main  bodies  of  the 
armies,  seeing  the  coast  clear,  and  the  provisions 
unguarded,  unanimously  fell  to  plunder,  and  quietly 
did  eat  what  their  comrades  fought  for;  A\luih  the 
combatants  perceiving,  left  ott  fighting,  and  of  one 
accord  turned  upon  tiie  plunderers,  who,  by  that 
time  having' devoured  the  booty,  left  them  the  field 
without  contending  any  farther. 

The  battle  being  over,  the  old  gentleman  would 
have  us  to  go  on,  "  Lest,"  said  he,  "  tliey  should  fall 
to  it  aeain  out  of  revenge;  for  those  creatures  are 
very  spiteful." 

Having  dispersed  them  by  our  advancing,  as  in 
tended,  Me  walked  from  under  the  trees  at  the  outside, 
to  have  a  better  view  of  the  rock,  which,  in  some 
places,  he  said,  changes  its  form  as  one  approaches 
it.  And,  as  he  said,  being  got  clear  of  the  trees,  ^^e 
saw  at  a  distance,  as  it  were,  a  considerable  nuni- 
ber  of  buildings,  and  here-and- there  something  like 
steeples,  which  represented  a  handsome  city  ;  and 
seemingly  the  houses  appeared  so  plain  that,  had  I 
not  been  apprized  of  the  illusion,  I  should  have 
taken  it  for  such;  but  Alvarado  and  the  young 
fellow  could  not  be  persuaded  but  what  we  saw 
were  really  buildings,  and  even  in  the  island, 
though  the  old  gentleman  made  'is  stop  a  wlule 
the  better  to  observe  everything;  then  bid  us  kee]) 
our  eyes  fixed  on  what  we  looked  at,  and  go  on. 
We  perceived  every  particular  of  what  we  observed 
to  change  its  form  ;  that  which   at   first   seemed   to 

13 


34  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

be  fronting,  shewed  itself  either  side-waj'S  or  back- 
wards ;  an(l  so  of  every  object,  till,  being  come  at  a 
certain  distance,  all  the  agreeablenc-ss  of  the  per- 
spective, of  a  sudden,  turned  into  its  real  shape, 
like  a  phantom,  which  whilst  visible  screens  that 
which  it  stands  before,  but,  by  its  vanishing, 
leaves  it  discovered. 

Being  come  as  near  the  rock  as  the  lake  that 
parts  it  would  permit,  we  could  discern  nothing  in 
it  that  could  in  the  least  soften  its  ruggedness,  or 
give  it  a  more  agreeable  aspect,  than  those  which 
are  represented  in  the  pictures  of  shipwrecks. 

The  old  gentleman,  thereupon,  made  several 
learned  observations  on  the  alterations  that  dis- 
tance works  upon  objects,  and  shewed  how  easily 
our  organs  of  sight  may  be  deceived;  drawing 
thence  this  inference,  that  we  ought  not  to  be  too 
positive  of  the  reality  of  what  we  see  afar  off,  nor 
to  athrm  for  truth  that  which  we  only  hear  of. 

Having  ended  that  discourse,  he  carried  us  to  the 
Other  side  of  the  jetting  part  of  the  rock,  which, 
advancing  like  a  bastion  ot  a  fortified  wall,  screened 
from  our  eyes  a  second  piece  of  wonder ;  a  fine 
rainbow  issuing,  as  it  were,  out  of  tlie  month  of  a 
giant,  lying  on  a  rock,  reaching  quite  over  the  lake  : 
at  the  bottum  of  it  I  could  not  but  stop  to  admire 
the  various  colours  it  consisted  of,  which  far  ex- 
ceeded in  beauty  and  liveliness  any  I  ever  saw  in 
the  sky.  I  presently  imagined  that  it  proceeded 
from  tlie  rays  of  tiie  sun  falling  upon  some  pond, 
or  other  standing  water,  whose  reflections  rose  and 
met  the  tops,  \\hicli  caused  that  beautiful  circle. 
But  Aivarado,  who  by  wiiat  he  had  seen  before, 
conclude  I  that  the  island  was  enchanted,  said  it  wag 
another  illusion,  which  tlie  place  was  full  of;  and 
would  have  gone  away,  but  that  the  old  man  fell  a 
laughing,  and  said — "  'Tis  a  sign  you  seldom  enquire 
ioty  natural  causes.  Well,  do  but  come  a  little 
uearer  to  it,  and  you  will  find  that  which  yoa  term 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  35 

an  illusion   is  the    natural    effect  of  all  fountains 
when  the  sun  shines." 

Being  come  to  the  place  it  proceeded  from,  it 
proved,  as  he  said,  only  a  fountain,  but  of  the 
clearest  and  sweetest  water  that  ever  was  tasted  ; 
but  the  place  it  issued  out  of  was  ciiant'ed  from  the 
liiteness  of  a  giant  to  that  of  some  strange  sort  of 
creature  ;  which,  though  having  no  particular  re- 
semblance, yet  woid(l  bear  being  compared  to 
several  different  things.  The  old  man\s  ooinion 
was  that  it  resembled  a  whale  spurting  waier  oi.t 
at  one  nostril.  Alvarado  supposed  it  was  more  liko 
a  horse  or  a  cow,  and  rather  the  last,  there  being 
horns  plainly  to  be  seen.  For  my  part,  I  could 
find  no  proper  simililnde  to  it,  but  that  of  an  old 
ruined  monument,  whicii  formerly  lliey  built  over 
the  heads  of  springs.  Timotliy  Anchors  (for  that 
was  the  name  of  the  young  fellow  that  was  with  us) 
being  asked  what  he  could  make  of  it — "  Why,^ 
really,"  said  he,  "  noliiing,  unless  it  be  an  old 
patched  up  pump  that  stands  at  tlie  end  of  my 
mother's  court  in  Rosemary  Line,  which  every 
spring  runs  out  of  itself;"  which  comparison  made 
us  all  to  laugh. 

Thus  we  differed  in  our  opinions  as  to  the  like- 
ness, yet  agreed  that  it  was  tiie  finest  fountain  and 
the  best  water  we  ever  saw  or  drank.  What  sur- 
prized me  most  was  the  force  wherewith  it  sprung 
from  the  rock  liiat  stood  full  live  yards  from  the 
place  it  fell  on,  which  was  another  subject  of  ad- 
Jiiiration  ;  for  certainly  the  arts  of  men  coidd  not 
have  invented  nor  completed  a  more  compact  or 
pleasanter  bason,  though  it  had  been  for  a  fountain 
to  adorn  a  monarch's  garden  :  indeed  there  were 
no  masons,  nor  any  expert  artists'  work  to  be  seen, 
but  a  great  deal  of  Nature's  matchless  understand- 
ing: there  regularity,  dimensions,  and  proportions 
concerted  to  make  ii  useful,  convenient,  and 
agreeable. 

D  2 


36  THE   ENGLISH   UERUIT.  » 

The  b.i'on  was  very  near  roniid,  about  eight  feet 
diameter,  a  bank  around  i(  near  a  fuot  lii^h,  ami 
as  broad  at  lop,  slanting  genily  at  tiie  boiic)ni,  botii 
insiile  and  outside,  wliicli  made  a  mo«t  pleasant 
yaiul  iinilorni  bank,  adorned  with  varions  small 
flowers  and  herbs  of  divers  beautiful  culours,  and 
•uost  frasjratit  sniells. 

Having  viewed  with  pleasure  and  amazemeni 
snch  regularity  in  a  wild  and  uninhabited  place,  1 
walked  about  it  as  long  as  the  time  I  could  stay 
would  permit :  I  proposed  going,  but  the  old  gen- 
tleman, taking  me  by  the  hand,  stopt  me.  "  Voq 
have,"  said  he,  "  bestowed  a  considerable  time  it 
observing  the  fertility  of  this  island  ;  now  pray 
allow  one  minute  for  consideration  :  the  object  you 
have  been  admiring  all  this  time  is  as  wondertul  and 
surprizing,  as  beautiful  and  pleasant.  You  see  this 
fountain,  which  runs  stitf,  and  as  large  as  your 
thumb,  and,  therefore,  by  computation  may  be 
allowed  to  give  near  a  hundred  gallons  of  water  in 
an  hour :  now  it  runs  night  and  day ;  it  neither 
decreases  nor  runs  over  its  bank,  but  keeps  to  the 
same  Ikeight." 

"  This,  as  yon  say,  Sir,"  said  I,  "  is  really  worth 
inquiring  into:"  so  I  went  several  limes  round  it, 
searching  for  the  place,  whereby  the  overplus  of 
the  complement  did  issue  ;  but  could  not  discover  it. 
•'  Come,"  said  he,  '•  seek  no  more  for  that  which 
nature  has  so  well  concealed  :  I  have  spent  many 
hours  in  that  inquiry,  and  still  remain  ignorant  ; 
but  have  found  the  place  out  of  which  it  runs  into 
a  tine  fish-pond,  about  a  mile  inland;  we  will  make 
it  our  way  to  the  lake ;  we  may  look  at  it  as  we  go 
by,  but  can  make  no  long  stay."     So  we  went  on. 

Going  along,  we  came  by  a  h«)lK)W  part  of  the 
rock,  which  went  in  like  an  alcove,  with  a  great 
many  concavities  in  it  in  rows  one  above  another, 
as  round  niches  where  figures  stand.  "  Now,"  said 
the  old  man,  "  we  are  here,  1  will  entertain  you 


*  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  37 

wi:Ii  an  invisible  c-lioiiis  of  hannonions  voices,  liiile 
iiilfiior  Id  liaiiiboys,  tiniiipfls,  or  oilier  melodious 
niiisick.  Here  I  twice  come  and  pay  my  devotions 
each  day."  Alvara<lo,  who,  by  what  he  ha<l  already 
seen,  was  prepossessed  iliat  ihe  island  was  full  of 
enchaniinents,  was  now  certain  of  it  ;  and  looked 
upon  that  place  in  the  rock  to  be  the  receptacle  of 
fiends  and  evil  spirits;  so  wonid  by  no  n-eansstay; 
but  takes  his  leave,  saying  he  was  not  very  curious 
of  siipernatiual  things. 

"Supernatural,"  said  the  old  man,  "yon  can't 
■well  caJI  it,  thou^ih  to  yon  it  may  seem  very  amaz- 
ing :  it  is  therefore  well  deservint;  yonr  sii;ht ;  I 
mean  yonr  hearing;  the  eyes  have  no  share  in  the 
entertainment:  we  shall  only  sing  a  few  psalms; 
1  am  s.ire  there  can  be  no  harm  in  that,  but  ralher 
good,  being  a  holy  exercise  in  divine  worship,  in 
wiiich  all  good  souls  ought  to  join." 

"  Thai  may  be,"  said  Alvarado  ;  "  but  1  love  to 
see  those  wiih  whom  I  worship:  1  don't  think 
myself  as  yet  company  ft-r  spirits.  As  for  yonr 
part,"  continued  Alvara(lo,spcaking  to  me,"  y on  may 
do  what  you  please;  but  take  care  your  curiosity 
don't  cost  you  dear.  Tim  and  1  will  wait  for  you 
in  the  boat  ;  but,  pray  be  not  too  long  before  you 
come."  So,  having  returned  the  old  gentleman 
thanks  for  his  kind  entertainment,  they  went  away ; 
at  which  the  good  man  was  much  attronted. 

"  What,"  said  he,  "  do  your  friends  imagine  I 
deal  with  S]  irits  ?  Hesides,  where  did  th»-y  ever 
hear  that  devils  loved  to  sing  psalms?  lor  here 
shall  nothing  else  be  sung:  1  would  not  for  the 
world  that  those  admirable  echoes,  that  hitherti^ 
have  repeated  nothing  but  the  Almighty's  praises, 
should  be  poIhite<l  with  the  sound  of  any  profane 
words."  I  excused  their  timorousness,  saying,  it 
'vaf  not  a  failing  pecidiar  to  themselves  oidy,  bnt 
to  many  besiiles.  The  old  man  allowed  it,attribut* 
ing   the.  cause   thereof  to  a  very  pernicious  custom 


38  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT 

nurses  have  to  fii<;liten  children  vlien  they  cry, 
wilh  bn<;<:abo.<,  anil  such  thins;s,  to  make  them 
quiet ;  which  frightlul  ideas  often  make  »iich  deep 
impression  on  thtir  puerile  minds  that  \vlien  they 
come  to  mature  age  it  is  hardly  worn  out,  which 
intimidates  many. 

That  discourse  bein^  ended,  we  advanced  as  near 
that  part  of  the  rock  as  the  lake  would  permit, 
Mhich  In  that  place  was  not  above  seven  or  eight 
feet  broad  ;  so  hat  we  were  within  the  concavity 
of  the  rock.  "  Now,  "  said  the  old  man,  "  let  iis  sit 
riown  on  this  bank,  and  sing  the  Hundred  and 
Seventeenth  I'salm." 

"Indeed,  Sir,"  'aid  I,  "I  dont  know^  it  by 
heart,  and  I  have  no  psalm-book  about  me." 

"  Well  then,"  said  he,  "  I'll  sing  myself;"  so  he 
begins;  but  with  such  a  clear  and  loud  voice, 
managed  with  so  much  skill  and  judgment,  that  it 
exceeded  all  the  singiiHj  I  ever  heard  before  ;  and 
was  repeated  by  such  a  number  of  melodious 
echoes  ihat  one  wcudd  have  believed  there  were  a 
hundred  voices  in  chorus. 

The  melody  so  transported  me  that  I  willingly 
would  have  spent  not  only  the  remainder  of  the 
day,  but  the  succeeding  also  ;  the  ecstasy  having 
quite  put  out  of  my  mind  the  necessity  of  mj'  going, 
and  the  danger  of  delaying:  but  the  go^jl  man 
having  sung  an  evening  hymn  after  ihe  psalm, 
which  he  said  he  sung  every  night,  he  takes  me  by 
the  hand  :  "  Now,"  said  he,  "  is  not  this  emulaiion  1 
Who  would  not  sing  with  such  a  chorus  of  choristers 
as  you  might  imagine  was  there  ?" 

"  Indeed  Sir,"  said  I,  "this  has  so  great  a  re- 
semblance to  the  relation  we  have  given  us  in  holy 
history  of  the  superior  joys  the  blessed  possess  in 
heaven  that  I  thought  myself  already  there;  for 
which  reason  I  would  willingly  end  my  days 
here." 

"  This  is   impossible,"   said  the  old  gentleman ; 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  39 

"nor  can  yon  spend  here  man)' more  moments: 
I  lirtve  the  fish-pond  to  shew  you  yet;  come,  let's 
go."  So  we  went  on  abont  fifty  paces  thence 
iiioie  inland  :  ^^e  saw  at  a  small  distance,  between 
tJif  trees,  a  parcel  of  fowls  like  ducks,  but  con- 
siderably larger,  which  flew  away  from  the  pond 
at  onr  approach  towards  them.  He  told  me  how 
he  came  by  the  old  one  that  bred  them,  of  which 
was  robbed. 

At  length  being  come  to  the  pond,  I  was  surprised 
at  the  clearness  of  the  water,  at  the  bottom  of 
vhich  seemed  to  be  large  rubies,  emeralds,  jacinths, 
and  other  coloured  stones  ;  till,  bein?  come  to  the 
brink  of  it,  those  which  I  took  for  precious  stones 
proved  to  be  fishes  by  their  swimming  about,  which 
to  my  thinking,  looked  like  stars,  shooting  from 
place  to  place  in  the  sky.  Having  spent  several 
minutes  in  admiring  the  surprising  nature  and 
beauty  of  the  fishes,  I  took  notice  of  the  pond, 
which  was  about  forty  yards  in  length,  and  near 
thirty  in  breadth :  its  form  was  a  broken  oval, 
sinking  in  jind  out  here  and  there,  which  made  it 
the  more  agreeable  ;  all  around  it  grew  divers  sorts 
of  herbs  intermixed  with  flowers  of  different  colours, 
and  here  and  there  a  basket  on  sticks,  which  the  old 
man  told  me  he  had  made  and  set  there  for  his 
ducks  to  breed  in.  The  day  being  far  spent,  the 
old  man,  after  having  shewed  me  the  places  at  one 
side  of  the  pond  wherein  the  bason  emptied  itself, 
as  also  the  other  side  whereby  the  pond  ran  into  the 
lake,  takes  me  by  the  hand  :  "  Come,"  said  he,  "  I'll 
keep  you  no  longer ;  night  comes  on  apace,  and  the 
retreat  from  this  island  is  dangerous  ;  therefore  I 
would  have  you  improve  the  short  remains  of  the 
day,  to  avoid  the  dangers  the  darkness  of  the  night 
may  lead  you  into ;  so  let  us  go  home,  that  I  may 
give  you  the  memorial  I  have  promised  you,  and 
then  my  blessing  ahd  hearty  prayers  for  your  safe 
departure,  and  happy  arrival."     So  ne  weut  to  his 


40  THE  ENGLISH    HERMIT. 

habitation,  where  he  gave  me  a  roll  of  parchment. 
"  Here  it  is,"  said  he, "  written  in  a  rough  and  unpolite 
language  ;  for  I  did  not  compose  it  out  of  ostentation, 
nor  to  ex*rt  my  parts  ;  but  to  keep  me  in  mind  of 
the  many  mercies  I  have  received  from  Heaven 
ever  since  my  youth,  and  to  record  the  wonderful 
elfects  of  Providence  ;  that  if  ever  these  writings 
should  have  the  luck  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  men 
after  my  decease,  they  might  be  an  encouragement 
to  the  destitute,  and  a  comfort  to  the  afflicted,  that 
he  who  rightly  applies  himself,  and  firmly  trusts  in 
the  Almighty,  shall  at  his  extremity  tind  relief: 
and  now  my  intent  is  in  some  measure  answered, 
expecting  you  will  revise  and  publi--h  it  when  you 
come  to  Old  England.  I  must  enjoin  you  not  to 
give  it  jis  my  own  dictation,  but  a  history  taken 
from  heads  out  of  my  memorial ;  for  I  have  been 
obliged  to  insert  particulars,  and  use  such  expres- 
sions, without  which  the  account  I  give  of  myself 
would  have  been  imperfect ;  and  which  being 
related,  as  by  me,  may  chance  to  be  accounted  self- 
flattery,  which  is  a  censure  I  would  willingly 
avoid."  I  told  him  he  miglit  depend  upon  it  I 
should  always,  and  on  all  accounts,  be  very  tender 
of  any  thing  that  could  in  the  least  h  ssen  the 
merit  of  the  subject,  or  tarnish  the  lustre  of  the 
history. 

With  that  the  good  man  takes  me  in  his  open 
arms,  and  embraces  me  over  and  over  with  all  the 
tenderness  words  and  actions  could  express  :  say- 
ing, with  tears  in  his  eyes,  that  my  exit  was  a 
renewing  of  his  past  grief,  and  would  for  a  con 
siderable  time  damp  the  pleasures  be,  before  my 
coming,  did  enjoy  in  his  solitude  ;  since  now  he 
again  "had  had  the  comfort  to  converse  with  one 
of  liis  dear  countrym.en,  after  full  fifty  years  being 
severed  from  human  society.  .The  height  of  his  grie>' 
having  for  some  moments  stopt  the  uiteranee  of  his 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  41 

words,  he,  sighing,  laid  his  head  upon  my  neck, 
sqiieezins;  me  close  in  his  arms. 

This  most  tender  and  moving  action  moved  me 
to  a  reciprocal  grief:  never  did  any  man  reflect 
with  more  reluctance  than  when  I  parted  with  that 
good  old  man,  who  having  recovered  in  some  mea- 
sure liis  former  tirmness  of  mind,  his  soul  being 
again  resigned,  we  repeated  our  embraces  with  a 
mutual  attection.  Tlien  I  took  my  leave  ;  but  he 
•would  not  part  with  me  there  ;  he  would  by  all 
mean*  wait  on  me  to  the  lake  I  was  to  wade  over 
to  come  at  the  rock,  on  the  other  side  of  Mhich  the 
boat  waited  for  me :  and  when  I  came  thither,  he 
would  also  have  waded  over  with  me,  that  he  might 
have  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  me  safe  from  the 
dangerous  rock  ;  but  I  would  in  no  wise  permit 
him.  Thus  having  prevailed  upon  him  to  stay  be- 
hind, I  prepared  to  wade  over:  so  after  a  few 
more  embraces,  I  crossed  the  lake  and  came  to  my 
impatient  companions,  who  received  me  witli  heavy 
reprimands  for  trusting  myself  so  long  alone  with 
that  necromancer.  "  For  nothing,"  said  they, 
"  shall  ever  persuade  us  a  man  can  have  such  plenty 
of  dainties  with  only  the  help  of  nature  :  No,  no, 
he  may  talk  of  Providence  as  much  as  he  pleases  ; 
he  applies  to  the  black  art;  and  those  voices  he 
calls  echoes  are  his  invisible  imps,  which,  if  truth 
be  known,  are  often  employed  in  raising  the  wind, 
and  causing  storms,  which  render  these  seas  often 
so  dangerous  :  and  it  has  been  observed  tliat  few 
or  no  ships  come  near  those  rocUa,  and  escape  being 
staved.  For  my  part,  I  assure  jvni,  I  don't  think 
myself  safe  whilst  within  the  reach  of  his  enchant- 
ments." With  that  he  takes  one  of  the  oars  out  ot 
young  Tim's  hand,  and  falls  to  rowing. 

"  Indeed,"  said  Tim,  "  as  you  say,  he  looked 
very  much  like  a  conjurer  with  his  long;  hair  and 
beard  ;  and  I  believe   he   is   conjuring  now.     See 


42  THE  ENGLISH  HEBMIT. 

here   is  bad  weather  coming ;   let  us  make  haste 
fiom  these  rocks." 

Even  as  he  said,  in  short  so  it  happened,  for  in  a 
little  time  after  the  wind  ro«e,  and  the  sea  began 
to  be  a  little  rough ;  so  that  I  was  forced  to  take 
the  hitchcr,  and  with  it  keep  the  boat  from  the 
rocks,  whither  the  waves  very  often  drove  us  ;  bot 
standing  out  to  sea,  the  wind  grew  more  calin,  and 
fair  for  the  continent.  I  took  one  of  the  oars,  and 
by  help  of  our  sail,  in  a  short  time  we  got  safe  to 
shore;  where  being  arrived,  very  much  fatigued, 
we  put  up  at  the  first  cottage,  which  was  inhabited 
by  an  old  m:in  and  woman,  Indians,  where  we 
dressed  our  fish,  and  went  to  supper ;  wiiich  ^vas 
scarce  over,  but  I  was  hurried  on  board,  the  wind 
being  tacked  about  and  fair  for  o  \r  departure. 

We  weighed  anchor  on  the  seventeentli  day  of 
May  1724,  and  stood  out  to  sea,  and  sailed  south 
and  by  east,  till  we  arrived  on  the  twenty-sixth  at 
Panama  on  Terra  Firma,  after  meeting  with   some 

ormy  weather.  Here  we  began  to  traffick,  in  our 
way  home,  for  some  corn  necessary  for  our  follow- 
ing voyage  ;  as  also  cotton,  some  metals,  rosin, 
gums,  and  pepper.  Our  stay  was  not  long  here  ; 
for  we  sailed  thence  on  the  fifth  of  June,  the 
wind  then  being  very  favourable  :  but  we  had  not 
sailed  above  twenty  leagues  when  we  met  with  a 
violent  storm  which  lasted  some  hours,  and  thp 
wind  blowing  hard  at  north  north-east ;  wherein 
we  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  our  surgeon,  one 
John  Davis,  who,  being  imprudently  upon  deck, 
was  washed  overboard  by  a  prodigious  wave  coining 
in  at  the  forecastle.  Our  ship  received  no  damage 
in  that  storm  ;  but  our  loss  of  Mr.  Davis  was  ver/^ 
great,  and  worse  than  if  any  otlier  man  en  board 
had  been  missing  ;  for  we  might  also  call  him  our 
chaplain,  as  well  as  surgeon :  and  by  his  exemplary, 
pious  life,  during  the  time  he  belonged  to  our  ship, 
he  might  really  be  called  a  divine.     He  was  a  man. 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  43 

'«'ho,  as  he  told  me,  had  been  educated  at  Hart- 
Hall,  Oxon,  in  his  early  days,  and  desis^ned  for  the 
sacred  robe  :  but  his  genins  very  much  inclining  to 
those  most  pleasant  studies,  viz.  physick  and 
surgery,   he   afterwards    made   them  his  practice; 

"btft  meeting  with  some  misfortunes  about  the 
thirtY-fitjtl},,^egr  of  his  life,  he  left  England  in  the 
yearjjl],  and  embarked  on  board  the  John  and 
Mary  for  ]Ne\^England,  where  he  lived  till  the 
year  1723,  when  our  ship  arrived    at   that    country, 

"afthat  time  wanting  a  surgeon  ;  for  our  own  died 
at  our  approach  near  flTe^continent.  Our  captain, 
on  inquiry,  having  an  excellent  character  of  Mr. 
Davis,  agreed  with  him  for  our  voyage  till  we  re- 
turned back  thither  again.  I  think  it  but  just  to 
eternize  his  memory  in  these  memoirs,  and  give 
him  the  character  which  he  merited. 

He  was  a  pious  good  man,  sober,  just,  and 
virtuous ;  ready  to  serve,  but  never  to  olt'end,  any 
man.  His  morals  were  instructive  to  all  those  who 
knew  him,  and  his  constant  exhortation,  while  oh 
board  our  ship,  to  frequent  daily  prayers,  was  the 
reason  we  esteemed  him  the  doctor  of  cur  souls,  as 
well  as  a  surgeon  to  our  bodies.  Nay,  which  is 
still  more,  wliile  he  was  with  us,  though  he  never 
entered  into  sacred  orders,  yet  he  told  us  he 
thought  it  his  duty  to  give  us  the  best  instructions 
he  was  capable  of,  for  the  preservation  of  our  souls 
and  bodies,  both  which  were  always  in  danger ; 
and  accordingly  after  divine  service,  as  I  may  call 
it,  was  performed  by  him  in  a  very  solemn  manner, 
he  would  frequently  discourse  on  the  nature  and 
heinousness  of  the  sin  of  man,  whicli  occasioned 
the  sufferings  of  Christ ;  on  the  terrors  of  hell,  and 
the  joys  of  heaven ;  as  also  on  the  glorious  creation 
of  the  world,  setting  forth  the  works  of  Omnipo- 
tence in  very  lively  colours,  telling  the  advantage, 
pleasure  and  beauty  that  attended  a  godly  life. 
Sometimes   his    discourses    would    be    oo    nataral 


44  THE  ENGLISH  HERHIT. 

pliiloeophy,  which  were  extremely  well  delivered  ; 
at  other  tiiTies  on  some  of  the  sciences,  most  of 
which  he  well  understood,  and  to  which  we  gave 
very  great  attention,  as  being  desirous  of  such  use- 
ful knowledge  :  in  short/his  death  was  greatly  la- 
mented by  tlie  captain  as  well  as  myself,  and  iodeed 
by  all  the  ship's  crew ;  for  he  was  a  man  of  a  quick 
thougiit  and  lively  apprehension  ;  had  an  universal 
knowledge  in  things,  entirely  free  from  'reserved- 
ness,  but  of  perfect  humility  and  condescension; 
most  agreeably  entertaining  in  his  conversation,  and 
dear  to  all  that  ever  knew  him.  / 

Thus,  having  given  an  imperfect  character  of 
that  great  man,  to  whose  memory  I  owe  so  much, 
I  shall  proceed  to  a  further  description  of  our  voy- 
age. As  to  the  coasts  on  those  seas,  I  think  it 
needless  to  make  any  mention  thereof,  they  having 
been  so  well  described  already  by  our  modern 
geographers,  nor  is  it  in  any-wise  useful  to  my  pur- 
pose ;  so  that  I  shall  entirely  omit  it ;  and  only  give 
an  account  of  tliose  places  where  we  traded  or 
touched  at  for  fresh  provisions  or  necessaries,  and 
remark  what  happened  most  worthy  our  notice  in 
our  voyage  Jiome  to  England. 

The  weather  now  proving  more  favourable,  I  be- 
gan to  peruse  the  memorials  of  my  good  old  hermit: 
but,  oh  !  with  what  moving  sj'mpathy  did  I  share 
with  iiim  in  the  multitude  of  his  misfortunes  during 
his  minor  years!  Nor  coiild  I  less  sympathize  with 
him  on  the  ecstacies  of  his  hermetical  lite.  I  read 
with  pleasure  and  amazement  what  he  had  labo- 
riously transcribed,  being  at  that  time  doubtful 
whether  it  would  ever  be  perused  by  any  mortal ; 
where  he  set  forth  a  continued  scries  of  misfortunes, 
as  if  linked  together  by  divine  Provi<Ience  (while 
he  lived  in  the  wise  world  as  he  called  it):  and  in 
this  account,  during  his  abode  on  that  desolate  island, 
denotes  that  the  omnipotent  Being  had  always  an 
immediate  direction  in  every  circumstance  or  point 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  45 

of  time.  I  was  more  and  more  astonished  and  amazed 
by  tliis  good  man's  precepts,  who  has  abandoned  the 
world,  content  to  live  in  a  desolate  and  lonesome 
island,  uninhabited  by  any  mortal  but  himself;  where 
he  has  had  ihe  space  of  lifty  years  to  reflect  and  con- 
template on  the  follies  and  misfortunes  of  man  ; 
during  which  time  his  maxims  were  always  his  rule 
of  life  in  every  case.  O  !  may  I  once  more  see  that 
dear  old  man,  whose  habitation  is  free  from  all 
anxious  cares,  frnm  oppression  and  usury,  and  all 
the  evils  that  attend  this  populous  world .'  There 
would  I  abide,  and  never  depart  from  that  happy 
solitude,  wiiich  he  so  peaceably  enjoys — But  whither 
am  I  running  ?  These  contemplations  have  made 
me  forget  the  remarks  of  my  voyage. 

We  sailed  from  Panama  on  the  sixth  day  of  June, 
and  had  frequent  thunder  and  lightning,- attended 
with  seme  rain  ;  but  nothing  else  extraordinary 
happened.  On  tlie  lifteeuth  we  made  Gorgona  Bay 
in  Peru,  where  our  boat  went  on  shore  to  a  village 
on  the  main,  with  twenty  hands  well  armed,  re- 
solving to  get  some  fresh  provisions  at  any  rate  ;  for 
we  began  to  be  in  want,  having  taken  in  but  very 
little  at  Panama.  It  is  a  low  land,  full  of  mangrovt 
trees,  and,  w  itliin  land,  pretty  high  :  the  village  was 
but  poor ;  however,  they  brought  away  six  hogs 
and  four  goats,  some  limes,  and  plantains.  Not  far 
thence  are  some  gold  mines,  but  of  no  great  note, 
as  we  were  informed  by  some  Indians.  They  are  a 
very  warlike  people  who  live  on  that  coast,  and 
often  engage  one  another  with  clubs  and  darts  made 
of  hard  wood.  The  island  is  about  six  leagues  in 
length.  There  a..e  monkeys,  lizards,  hares,  and 
Guinea  pigs  ;  also  several  sorts  of  snakes,  some  of 
which  are  as  big  as  one's  leg,  so  that  it  is  dangerous 
to  walk  in  some  parts  of  the  i^land  :  one  of  our  men 
happened  to  be  bit  by  one,  and  did  not  live  above 
six  hours  after ;  though  his  death  had  been  prevented, 
I  believe,  had  we  not  met  with   that  misfortune  of 


40  THE  ENGLISH    HERMIT. 

.  losing  Mr.  Davis  our  surgeon.  Here,  also,  we  canght 
some  mullets,  and  several  sorts  of  fish,  extremely 
good,  though  unknown  to  us  as  to  their  names.  In 
this  island  there  is  a  creature  which  the  Indians  call'^--- 
a  mundago,  but  the  Spaniards  a  sloth,  which  I  think 
is  its  properest  name  ;  for  it  is  a  creature  which 
seems  to  sleep  as  it  walks,  by  its  slow  motion  ;  and 
it  is  reported  that  it  eats  the  leaves  of  trees,  which 
are  its  only  food  ;  but  is  so  prodigiously  lazy  that, 
when  it  has  cleared  one  tree  of  its  leaves,  it  will  be 
almost  starved  to  death  before  it  attempts  to  climb 
another:  in  short,  it  is  a  very  ugly  creature,  and 
seems  to  be  of  the  monkey  kind,  by  its  make;  but 
its  hair  is  thicker  and  longer,  nor  is  it  so  agreeable 
to  look  at,  and  is  different  in  its  nature.  Here  we 
also  got  fresh  water  and  wood  ;  for  there  are  very 
good  brooks  on  that  island,  and  wood  enough. 

While  we   lay  near  the   island,   I   went   ashore  ; 
and,  in  fciy  conversation  with  a  Spaniard,  he  related 

to  me  the  following  account  of  one  Thomas  Jenkins, ^ 

a  Lancashire  man,  who  was  boatswain  on  board  a 
merchant's  sliip,  whose  name  I  have  since  forgot, 
who 'was  left  on  that  island,  and  lived  alone  there 
wo  years  and  three  months  ;  but  was  first  seen  on 
that  island  by  some  Indians  who  came  from  the 
main  for  oysters,  and  oilier  shell-fish,  wliich  they 
frequently  gather  for  the  Spaniards.  He  ma^le  his 
escape  from  them,  and  hid  himself  in  the  woods  ; 
fearing  that  tliey  would  carry  hiin  to  the  Spaniards, 
and  by  that  means  he  might  be  made  a  slave  ;  choos- 
ing rather  solitude  than  to  enter  into  bondage  for 
life.  However,  an  English  ship,  trading  on  that  / 
coas.,  had  notice  of  it  Irom  the  Indians,  and,  ima-  / 
gining  that  he  might  be  an  Englishman  cast  away, 
or  set  on  shore  there  (as  he  really  was)  by  some 
pirate  who  had  been  in  those  seas,  they  sent  their 
boat  with  SIX  hands  to  the  isiand  in  search  of  him. 
They  took  their  speaking-trumpet  with  them,  and 
by  that  means,  after  about  six  hours'  stay  on   the 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  47 

island,  they  found  him  out.  He  told  them  that,  at 
his  tirst  being  set  on  shore  on  the  island,  it  seemed 
very  melancholy  and  frightful;  when  he  began  to 
reflect  on  the  barbarity  of  the  pirates,  to  leave  him 
there  without  provisions,  or  any  manner  of  neces- 
saries whereby  he  might  support  himself  (they 
leaving  him  only  his  wearing  clothes  and  his  pocket 
knife).  If  they  had  left  him  any  lire-arms  and  am- 
munition, his  case  would  not  have  been  near  so 
desperate;  because  he  then  might  not  have  only 
defended  himself  against  any  enemy,  but  likewise 
have  killed  some  goats  or  fowls  for  his  subsistence. 
He  also  said  that  what  made  him  very  melancholy- 
was  to  think  his  habitation  and  place  of  abode  was 
where  he  could  have  no  human  society,  and  in  an 
island  that  he,  at  first,  knew  not  whether  there  was 
any  thing  on  it  for  his  subsistence,  never  having 
been  on  that  coast  before-  But  the  second  day  of  his 
being  there,  he  took  a  survey  of  the  island,  and 
found  that  there  were  monkeys,  goats,  &.C.,  and  also 
good  liih.  He  dreaded  greatly  the  snakes,  which 
were  larger  than  he  had  ever  seen  before  ;  however, 
as  they  endeavoured  to  get  from  him,  he  rested 
pretty  well  satisfied,  hoping  there  was  no  beast  of 
prey  to  hurt  him  there;  for  fear  of  which,  at  first, 
he  climbed  up  into  a  pimento  tree  to  sleep.  He  was 
well  plea-ed  to  find  such  good  shellfish,  which  was 
the  only  food  he  lived  on  for  the  first  five  days, 
when,  by  accident,  he  caught  a  young  kid,  which 
very  much  rejoiced  him ;  but  he  was  at  a  great  loss 
for  fire  to  dress  it ;  til!  having  nothing  to  employ 
himself  with  but  thinking,  he  remembtiied  that  he 
had  heard  that  the  rubbing  of  two  pieces  of  wood  hard 
together  produced  fire :  he  tried  the  experiment; 
and,  by  rubbing  two  pieces  of  pimento-wood  toge- 
ther, did  produce  fire,  after  the  manner  the  Indians 
make  use  of  it.  He  then  made  a  fire,  as  having 
wood  enough,  and  broiled  part  of  his  goat,  wliich 
was  a  delicious  meal  to  him.    He  alterwaids  begau 


48  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

to  buiid  himself  a  hut  to  dwell  in,  where  he  lived, 
and  dressed  his  fish  and  goats'  flesli  ;  but  could  at 
first  only  broil  it,  till  he  had  driven  two  stakes  in 
the  ground,  where  lie  roasted  it  with  a  wooden  spit. 
As  to  fresh  water,  as  I  observed  betbre,  there  were 
very  good  brooks  in  the  valleys.  At  length  he  in- 
vented a  way,  by  tiiickets,  to  ensare  a  goat  some- 
times, which  furnished  him  with  flesh.  Here  were 
cabbage-trees,  wliich  furnished  him  with  sauce  to 
his  meat,  it  being  very  agreeable  when  seasoned 
with  the  fruit  of  the  pimento-tree,  wliich  is  much 
like  Jamaica  pepper  :  but  afterwards  he  could  run 
a  goat  down.  Sometimes  he  had  the  good  luck  to 
find  some  eggs,  for  there  were  very  good  fowls  :  he 
caught  some  young  teal  also,  and,  by  cutting  their 
wings,  and  keeping  them  always  cut,  he  preserved 
them  in  a  brook,  just  ty  his  hut,  which  he  had  en- 
closed. Tliere  they  bred,  and  were  tame.  But,  being 
one  day  gone  a  pretty  distance  from  his  hut,  a  great 
number  of  monkeys  finding  them  out,  and  that  they 
could  not  fly  away,  destroyed  them  all.  His  clotlies 
were  almost  worn  out,  nay,  his  shoes  were  quite 
gone,  and  had  been  for  some  time;  but  lo  preserve 
his  feet,  he  cut  the  goat  skins  in  the  shape  of  stock- 
ings, and  sewed  tliem.or  laced  them  up  with  thongs 
of  the  same  ;  and  also  laced  the  foot-part,  making 
holes  with  his  knife  for  the  thongs,  three  or  four 
times  doubled  together,^  to  serve  for  soles.  The 
Spaniard  told  me  that  he  was  so  well  inured  to  that 
way  of  life,  when  he  was  taken  from  the  island,  that 
it  was  a  considerable  time  before  he  could  reli.^h 
either  drink,  or  any  kind  of  victuals  which  was 
dressed  on  board  the  ship.  I  gave  tiie  Spaniard  an 
account  of  the  hermit,  to  which  he  give  very  great 
attention. 

So,  having  refreshed  ourselves,  we  sailed  thence, 
after  a  stay  of  three  days  only  in  the  bay  ;  having 
got  a  pretty  many  goats  from  the  island,  and  some 
luaize,  or  Indian  corn.     Thence  we  steered  for  the 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  49 

Galliapago  islands,  but  in  our  passage  met  with  seve- 
ral storms  and  tornadoes,  attended  with  very  great 
rains.  Some  of  our  men  began  to  be  very  sickly, 
which  we  thought  proceeded  from  their  eating  the 
livers  of  some  young  seals  tJiey  had  caught,  they 
being  unhealthy.  After  about  three  days'  sail,  we 
met  with  frequent  calms.  During  this  voyage,  one 
of  our  negro  women,  of  whom  wc  had  three  on 
board,  being  with  child,  and  near  her  time,  was  de- 
livered of  a  line  boj',  which  was  of  a  swarthy 
colour.  She  had  been  on  board  us  ever  since  we 
came  from  the  Brazils,  and  proved  very  useful  in 
washing  our  linen,  &c. ;  bnt  Juno,  for  that  was  her 
name,  proved  with  child  by  one  of  our  men,  whose 
name  was  Thomas  Higgins:  I,  with  the  help  of  the 
other  two  negrp  women  who  were  on  board,  per 
formed  the  othce  of  a  midwife,  and  delivered  her. 
I  had  purchased  a  little  wine  at  Panama,  which 
proved  very  useful  to  mull  for  Juno,  tc  comfort  her 
in  that  condition  ;  also  the  other  negro  women,  Tom 
Higgins  and  I,  drank  one  bottle  after  her  delivery; 
and  we  were  really  merry  on  that  occasion.  The 
captain  was  somewhat  displeased  at  this  accident ; 
but  being  unwilling  (in  so  long  a  voyage,  attended 
with  so  many  ditticuliies  as  we  had  met  with)  to 
inflict  too  heavy  punishments  on  his  men,  he  only 
obliged  Tom  to  agree  that  he  should  allow  Juno 
two  pistoles  when  she  went  ashore  at  Brazil,  to 
take  care  of  the  cliild.  Tom  readily  agreed  thereto, 
but  had  some  remorse  of  conscience,  and  began  to 
reflect;  and  was  really  very  much  concerned  to 
think  that  the  child  got  by  him  (though  en  a  negro, 
yet  she  was  a  woman,  and  the  child  in  likeness  of 
himself,  and  tirmly  believing  that  it  was  really  be- 
got by  him,  and  no  other  person)  should  be  bred  up 
in  Paganism.  Accordingly,  he  grew  very  dull  and 
melancholy  at  the  thoughts  thereof,  which  he  com- 
municated to  me,  asking  my  advice  about  it.  So  I 
persuaded  him  to   be  merry,  and  not  cast  himself 

B 


90  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

down  ;  for  that  many  snch  accidents  had  happened 
in  the  West  Indies,  before  then,  among  the  English- 
iren,  wlio  never  thought  much  of  it  afterwards. 
However,  this  had  no  ettect  at  all  on  him.  He  told 
me  that,  whatever  crimes  other  people  harl  been 
gnilty  of,  he  could  not  reconcile  himself  thereunto. 
Finding  hini  so  very  uneasy,  I  acquainted  the  cap- 
tain of  it  :  "  All  !"  says  he,"  is  Tom  nnder  so  great 
a  concern  about  the  child's  being  not  to  be  educated 
in  the  Cinistian  religion?" 

"  Yes,  Sir,"  said  I  ;  "  and  I  am  apprehensive 
that  it  will  grow  upon  him  very  much  to  his  preju- 
dice, he  is  so  extremely  concerned  about  it  :  for  less 
things  tliaii  that,  I  have  known  people  grow  melan 
choly  (as  he  seems  to  be);  and  they  have  entered 
into  a  state  of  lunacy,  and  never  coiiM  be  brought 
to  their  former  reason,  bnt  have  laid  violent  hands 
on  themselves.  As  he  is  a  very  honest,  good-na- 
tured fellow  (setting  aside  this  slip),"  said  I,  "  I 
•wish  some  expedient  could  be  found  .out  to  make 
bim  easy." 

"Weil,  then,  Mr.  Dorringfon,"  says  the  captain, 
"we  have  the  Common-Prayer  Bt>ok  on  board; 
and  'tis  a  pity  we  lost  poor  John  Davis  our  surgeon 
and  chaplain  :  he  could  have  ciiristened  the  child, 
and  tlial  would  have  satisfied  Tom." 

"  O,  Sir,"  said  I,  "  with  your  leave,  as  we  have 
no  chaplain  belonging  to  the  ship,  now  Mr.  Davis  is 
<ead,  yet,  as  we  are  tolerated  to  bury  our  dead, 
pray  why  may  we  not  christen  the  living  also  ?  It 
can  be  no  crime  to  do  a  good  action."  The  captain 
approved  of  what  I  said;  so  1  told  him,  with  his 
leave,  I  would  bo  chaplain  in  that  case,  as  well  as 
I  had  been  man-midwife  before  :  "  But,  Sir,"  said 
I,  "  there  is  an  obstacle  that  will  hinder  us  still." 
He  asJvcd  me  ^^hat  tliat  was  ?  "  ^^'hy,  Sir,"  said  I, 
"  we  have  neither  godfathers  nor  godmothers  ;  and 
you  know  that  it  is  not  accounte<i  lawfid  to  perform 
that  ceremony,  which  is  one  of  the  sacraments,  un- 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  51 

less  it  be  done  with   order  and  decency,  as   the' 
Church  diiects."    To  which  the  captain  replied — 

"  Is  there  not  Mr.  Clark,  onr  lieutenant  ?  I  and 
he  will  stand  godfathers;  and  he  siiall,  as  lie  is 
Clark  by  name,  perform  the  office  of  clerk  in  the 
ceremony." 

"  But,  Sir,"  said  I,  "what  must  we  do  for.a  god- 
mother ?  You  know  there  ought  to  be  one,  and  we 
have  no  woman  on  board  that  is  a  Christian." 

"  Well  then,"  said  the  captain,  "  the  women  we 
have  on  board,  by  a  little  persuasion,  may  be  wil- 
ling to  be  christened  tiiemsclves  ;  and,  if  they  con- 
sent, they  are  of  age,  and  therefore  capable  of 
answering  for  themselves,  by  which  means  they 
may  become  godmothers,  on  occasion,  to  the  child." 
So,  accordingly,  the  captain  called  for  a  botile  of 
wine,  and  sent  for  Diana,  one  of  the  negro  women, 
aged  about  twenty-three  years.  When  she  came  into 
the  cabin,  the  captain  filled  a  glass  of  wine,  and  gave 
it  her  :  after  she  had  drunk  it,  the  captain  said — 

"  So,  Diana,  'tis  to  be  hoped  that  you  wont  be 
troubled  with  the  wantons,  and  play  the  trick  your 
sister  Juno  did.  Pray,  how  does  the  child  do?" 
To  which  she  answered — 

'*  It  be  ver  well,  but  it  cry,  cry,  ver  mush,  great 
deal." 

"  Well,"  says  the  captain,  "  but,  Diana,  I  sent 
for  you  on  another  occasion  :  do  you  not  remember 
Mr.  Davis,  our  surgeon  and  chaplain  V 

"Yes,"  says  she,  "me  ver  well  know  him ;  he 
give  me  ver  gret  goot  stuff  (meaning  a  dram)." 

"  But,"  says  the  captain,  "  you  know,  Diana,  he 
was  a  very  good  man,  and  used  to  tell  you  yoar 
duty,  and  teach  you  how  to  say  your  prayers." 

"  Yes,"  says  she,  "  me  ver  well  remember  dat  he 
be  ver  goot  man." 

"  Why,  then,"  says  the  captain,  "  Diana,  what 
do  you  think  .of  being  made  a  Christian,  and  chris- 
tened as  we  Christians  are  1" 

X2 


52  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

"  Me  mak  Christian,"  savs  she,  "  hou  ?" 

"  Why,"  says  the  captain,  "  you  know  Mr.  Davis 
taught  you  to  read,  and  you  learned  to  say  your 
prayers :  they  are  very  good  prayers,  are  they  not, 
to  pray  to  God  V 

"  Yes,"  says  she  ;  "  they  be  ver  goot  prayer ;  me 
love  dem  ver  gret  mush." 

"  Well,  then,"  says  the  captain,  "  are  you  wil- 
ling to  be  good,  and  do  as  those  prayers  learn  yoii 
to  do  1" 

"  Yes,"  said  she,  "  me  be  always  ver  goot,  me  be 
ver  glad,  me  lern  me  prayer,  me  lern  more,  me 
tank  you."  So,  by  the  captain's  advice,  I  read  the 
public  baptism  of  those  of  riper  years,  and  baptized 
her;  she  answering  to  the  questions  by  the  instruc- 
tion of  the  captain  ;  and  we  christened  her  by  the 
name  of  Elizabeth,  which  was  the  name  of  our  ship. 
As  soon  as  the  ceremony  was  over,  the  captain 
ordered  Elizabeth  to  dress  the  child  in  as  decent  a 
manner  as  she  could,  and  bring  it  to  his  cabin :  in 
the  mean  time  we  drank  the  bottle  of  wine.  As 
soon  as  the  child  was  dressed,  Elizabeth  carried  it 
to  the  captain,  who  sent  for  Thomas  Higgins,  and 
told  him  that  Diana  was  christened,  and  that  he 
himself,  and  the  lieutenant,  were  to  stand  god- 
fathers to  his  son,  and  Elizabeth  godmother ;  and 
that  it  was  to  be  christened  ;  and  desired  to  know 
■what  name  shoifld  be  given  to  the  child  :  to  which 
he  answered  his  own,  viz.  Thomas.  I  never  saw 
snch  an  alteration  in  any  man  in  my  life  as  I  imme- 
diately observed  in  him  ;  so  suddenly  it  appeared 
that  it  surprised  us  all  ;  lor  he,  who  before  was  de- 
jected, even  to  the  greatest  degree  imajiinable,  now 
appeared  fully  satislied  in  his  mind;  and,  conscience 
no  longer  seeming  to  fly  in  his  face,  he  became  full 
of  mirth  and  jollity.  So,  by  the  captain's  order,  I 
christened  the  child  in  a  very  decent  manner;  the 
captain  and  lieutenant  stood  godfathers,  and  Eliza- 
beth stood  godmother.    When  the   ceremony  was 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  53 

over,  the  captain  said— "Tom,  as  this  child  M'as 
bt-'got  and  born  on  board  my  ship,  and  I  am  its  god- 
father, and  as  it  is  now  a  Christian,  I  think  it  pro- 
perly belongs  to  me  (thoujjh  I  am  not  the  father  of 
it)  to  see  it  brought  up  in  a  Christian  manner, 
which,  if  it  please  God  to  bless  me  with  lite,  I  will 
see  performed  ;  and  not  only  that,  but  will  take  care 
of  it,  if  it  lives, 'during  my  life,  and  see  it  well  edu- 
cated." So  the  captain  ordered  half  a  goat  to  be 
roasted  ;  and  he,  the  lieutenant,  and  I,  with  Tom 
and  Elizabeth,  whom  he  permitted  on  that  occasion, 
supped  at  his  table,  and  were  very  merry  :  which 
so  rejoiced  Elizabeth  that  she,  immediately  after 
supper,  related  what  had  happened  to  her  fellow 
negro  woman,  who  was  called  Antiope  :  and  they 
both  went  to  Jung,  and  told  her  that  her  son  was 
baptized  by  the  name  of  Thomas. 

The  weather  here  was  extremely  hot  in  the  day- 
time ;  but  there  were  cold  dews  at  night,  which 
were  very  dangerous ;  for  three  of  our  men  died  in 
our  voyage  to  the  Galliapagoes. 

As  we  sailed,  on  the  twenty-fifth,  at  night,  the  sea 
very  much  surprized  us,  it  seeming  to  be  as  red  as 
blood;  which  occasioned  Stephen  Jones,  who  yas 
upon  the  watch  with  some  others,  to  call  us  up  ; 
for  they  had  never  seen  the  like  before.  When  we 
came  tipon  deck,  we  supposed  it  to  be  a  great  quan- 
tity of  the  spawn  of  fish  swimming  on  the  water,  it 
being  very  fair.  Having  passed  the  line,  we  made  the 
Galliapagoes  on  the  fifth  of  July,  where  we  anchored 
about  a  mile  off  the  shore,  in  a  good,  smooth,  sandy 
ground.  We  sent  our  boat  ashore  for  water,  but 
could  find  none.  Some  of  our  men  began  to  be  sick, 
but  none  of  them  died  before  we  arrived  at  Puna 
Isle,  in  Peru;  whence  we  sailed  a  little  way  up 
the  river  Guaquil,  where  we  saw  a  great  many  alli- 
gators, and  sold  some  of  our  goods :  but  the  Spani- 
ards being  jealous  that  \^  came  as  spies,  and  be- 
longed to  some   other    ships   on   that  coast,  wmch 


54  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

^,,*-^ere  Bnccaniers,  ■ne  thought  it  best  to  leave  that 
place,  having  taken  in  some  fresh  water,  and  a  few 
provisions,  to  serve  us  to  the  Isle  of  Labos.  We 
stood  out  to  sea,  and  made  the  island  of  St.  Clara, 
where  we  anchored  on  the  tenth,  for  that  night 
(our  ship  proving  crank,  and  sailin?  very  heavy), 
the  next  morning,  when  we  were  preparing  to  sail, 
we  found  that  our  ship  had  sprung  a  leak;  so  that 
we  were  obliged  to  liave  one  hand  at  the  pump  con- 
tinually. Before  we  liad  sailed  six  leagues,  the 
wind  tres^hened  upon  us,  and  the  sky  looked  extra- 
ordinary black  at  north-east,  and  it  moved  towards 
us,  which  made  ns  take  in  our  top-sails;  and  after- 
wards we  reeved  our  main-sail  and  niizen  ;  at  which 
time  it  began  to  rain,  and  poured  down  as  if  through 
a  sieve.  The  sea  seemed  as  if  it  had  been  all  on 
fire,  by  the  prodigious  thunder  and  lightning.  It 
then  being  night,  the  elements  over  our  head  looked 
most  dismally  black,  but  all  round  the  horizon  was 
as  red  as  blood  :  the  waves,  which  seemed  to  dash 
against  the  clouds,  by  the  violence  of  the  wind, 
sparkled  like  lightning,  which,  together  with  the 
thunder,  made  a  terrible  noise  ;  at  last,  breaking  in 
upon  our  deck,  it  carried  away  one  of  our  anchors; 
and  we  durst  not  bring  our  ship  to  the  wind,  for 
fear  of  her  foundering,  it  being  dangerous,  in  a 
storm,  to  turn  a  sliip  backward  and  forward  ;  so  we 
were  obliged  to  lie  in  the  trough  of  the  sea.  ^ut 
the  wind  and  rain  abating,  we  observed,  to  our  great 
joy,  a  Corpus  Sanct  at  the  top  of  our  spindle. 
These  Corpus  Sancts  are  good  signs  when  seen 
aloft;  but  bad  omens,  and  denote  a  great  storm, 
when  seen  on  the  decks.  It  is  a  small  glimmering 
light,  like  a  star,  when  aloft ;  but  when  on  deck  it 
appears  like  a  glow-worm.  It  is  the  opinion  of 
mariner?  that  it  is  a  sort  of  jelly,  incorporated  by 
the  wind,  rain,  sea  vapours,  and  air;  because  it  is 
i.ever  observed  unless  in  stormy  weather. 

We    sailed    right   before   the  wind,  which  was 


THE   ENGLISH    HERMIT.  OS 

south-west,  bHt  were  obliged  to  keep  continually 
pumping  till  the  eighteenth  day  ;  when  we  made 
the  isle  of  Labos,  about  twelve  at  noon.  That  night 
we  got  safe  into  the  harbour,  and  anchored  at 
twenty  fathoms'  water,  in  clean  ground  between 
the  two  islands :  here  we  resolved  to  careen  our 
ship.  Accordingly,  observing  (he  time  of  high  water, 
we  put  lier  into  a  cove  in  the  soutliermost  island, 
where  we  hauled  her  up  as  far  as  we  could  on  the 
land;  and  our  carpenter,  and  all  hands,  set  to 
work  the  next  day.  This  island  is  barren,  and 
without  fresh  water.  Here  we  killed  several  seals, 
sea-lions,  boobies,  and  penguins ;  a  sea  fowl  about 
as  big  as  a  duck,  whose  flesh  is  very  ordinary  food, 
but  the  eggs  exceeding  good  :  here  also  we  found  a 
small  black  fowl,  which  iiiakes  ho'es  in  the  ground 
to  roost  in  at  night,  whose  flesh  is  very  good  ;  and 
a  great  many  vultures  and  crows.  We  had  careened 
our  ship,  and  were  in  readiness  to  sail  on  the 
twenty-sixth,  and  sailed  to  the  island  Fernandos, 
and  made  the  middle  bay  on  the  seventh  of  August, 
winter  being  just  over  there  ;  which  continues  only 
for  two  months,  viz.  June  and  July.  We  have 
verbal  accounts  here  of  several  men  who  have  been 
left  or  cast  away,  and  have  lived  some  time,  and 
very  well  on  this  island.  Here  we  mended  our 
sails.  There  is  plenty  of  very  good  fish  of  divers 
sorts.  It  is  very  pleasant  on  the  shore,  and  very 
healthy ;  so  that  the  men  who  had  been  ill  on  our 
voyage,  perfectly  recovered  their  healths;  for  the 
green  pimento-trees  dittiised  a  very  agreeable  and 
refreshing  healthy  smell  all  over  tlie  island.  Here 
we  spent  some  time  in  taking  wood  on  board,  and 
likewise  in  laying  water  up,  which  here  is  very 
good;  we  also  boiled  a  considerable  number  of  sea- 
lions,  of  which  there  are  plenty  here:  we  had  also 
plenty  of  young  seals,  which  eat  very  well  ;  only 
their  livers  are  unwholesome  :  and  at  tiie  soutii  end 
of  the  island  we  found  some  goats,  of  which  we 


56  THE   ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

killed  about  thirty,  which  were  excellent  food. 
Here  were  also  plenty  of  turnips  and  water-cresses, 
which  were  of  great  service  to  us  in  curing  the 
scurvy ;  of  which  we  gathered  a  very  large  quan- 
tity. 

So  having  refreshed  ourselves  very  well  on  this 
island,  we  resolved  to  steer  for  Cape  Verde  in 
,  Chili ;  on  the  twelfth,  made  the  Island  of  St.  Jago, 
where  we  anchored,  and  sent  our  boat  on  shore. 
Here  we  bought  some  hogs  and  black  cattle,  for  our 
voyage  round  Cape  Horn  to  the  Brazils ;  as  also 
some  corn  and  maize.  Here  the  people,  from  the 
ill  usage  they  had  formerly  met  with  from  the 
French,  are  extremely  sharp  and  really  dishonest ; 
for  if  they  trade  with  you,  and  cannot  get  tlie  ad- 
vantage of  you,  which  they  think  you  would  have 
of  them,  they  will  snatch  your  goods  and  run  away 
with  them. 

We  weighed  anchor  on  the  twentieth,  and  sailed 
hence  round  Cape  Horn,  in  51o  and  15'  south  lati- 
tude, as  our  pilot  informed  me,  I  being  only  a  mer- 
chant on  board,  and  therefore  do  not  pretend  to 
make  a  metiiodical  journal,  only  as  I  promised  to 
give  an  account  of  the  mo.u  material  passages  in 
our  voyage  home.  Round  the  Cape  the  weather 
favoured  us  extremely,  and  notliing  liappened  that 
was  material,  only  that  we  were  chased  by  a  pirate- 
ship  for  about  twelve  hours  on  the  twenty-ninth  ; 
but  the  night  coming  on,  it  favoured  us  so  that  we 
lost  her.  On  the  fourth  of  September  we  made 
Faulkland's  Island.  Here  we  saw  a  gjcat  number 
of  porpuses,  which  often  leaped  out  of  the  water, 
of  an  uncommon  sort.  On  the  fifth  we  had  the 
iii.sfortune  to  have  one  of  onr  men  fall  into  the  sea, 
as  he  was  throwing  tlie  lead  ;  and  he  was  drowned 
before  we  could  give  liim  any  help.  A\'e  had  very 
brisk  gales  at  south-west.  We  sailed,  and  made 
Cape  St.  Antonio,  near  the  mouth  of  the  river  De 
la  Plata,  in  Paragua,  on   llie  tweuty-fifih,  the  wind 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  57 

south  by  west ;  when  we  stood  out  to  sea,  and 
made  the  isle  of  Grande,  and  the  coast  of  Brazil, 
on  the  twenty-ninth.  We  got  a  pilot,  who  con- 
ducted us  into  the  watering-cove,  at  the  inner 
Mestermost  point  of  the  island.  In  sounding  as  we 
went  in,  we  hardly  met  in  any  place  with  less 
than  ten  fathoms  w^ter.  The  island  is  about  nine 
leagues  long,  high  land  near  the  water  side  ;  it 
abounds  with  wood  ;  has  monkeys  and  other  wild 
beasts;  plenty  of  good  timber  and  fresh  water, 
oranges  and  lemons.  We  had  pleasant  weathiM-,  but 
extremely  hot.  We  here  received  a  letter  from  our 
owners,  commanding  us  home,  and  not  to  sail  for 
New  England,  as  designed.  Here  we  got  beef, 
mutton,  hogs,  fowl,  sugar,  rum,  oranges,  and  lemons; 
so  that  now  we  did  not  want  good  punch.  During 
our  voyage  from  the  Galliapagoes,  I  applied  myself 
to  the  perusal  of  my  good  old  man's  memoirs,  which 
I  took  very  great  delight  in;  and  finding  the  whole 
series  of  his  minor  years  attended  with  such  a 
number  of  unaccountable  accidents,  hardly  to  be 
paralleled,  I  thought  proper,  as  I  designed  them  to 
be  published  at  my  arrival  in  England,  to  digest 
them  in  a  more  regidar  manner  than  I  found  them 
wrote  in  his  manu«crij3t ;  but  neither  ad'ied  nor 
diminished  ;  nor  did  I  m  the  least  vary  from  what 
he  himself  had  wrote,  as  to  the  accidents  of  life  ; 
only  I  made  some  amendments  which  I  thought 
necessary:  for  his  absence  from  England  so  long  as 
fifty  years  had  occasioned  him,  in  some  manner, 
not  to  be  well  acquainted  with  tiie  language  as  it  is 
now  spoken  ;  and,  by  his  living  witiiout  any  con- 
versation so  long  a  time,  had  made  him,  in  some 
measure,  forget  his  own  mother-tongue.  Though  I 
really  think,  taking  that  into  consideration,  that  his 
account  was  very  polite  ;  yet,  had  l)is  life  been 
published,  as  in  his  memoirs,  it  would  have  ap- 
peared very  obsolete,  and  dithcult  to  be  read,  though 
ever  so  entertaining.     I   accordingly  collected  all 


S8  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

the  passages  of  his  first  twenty-eight  years^ogether, 
arwi  thou-ht  proper  to  make  a  book,  or  part  by 
themselves,  that  part  of  his  life  being  diiterent 
from  his  hermetical  confinement  on  the  island, 
which  at  first  sight  appeared  so  full  of  horror,  and 
nothing  but  a  pro.-pect  of  the  most  miserable  con- 
dition that  could  befal  him.  He  no  sooner  looked 
round  hiui,  depending  upon  Providence  as  a 
supporter  of  the  distressed,  but  he  found  almost 
every  thing  necessary  for  human  life  on  that  small 
island  ;  and  he,  who  then  thought  of  nothing  but 
immediately  perishing  in  the  most  miserable  condi- 
tion, has  lived,  by  the  help  of  divine  Providence, 
in  a  safe  and  plentiful  manner ;  and  is  now  so 
inured  thereunto  that  he  despises  the  populous 
world  and  its  vanities  ;  he  also  considers  its  pomp- 
ous glory  to  be  of  no  more  substance  than  a  shadow; 
and  that  there  is  no  felicity  on  earth  unless  in 
solitufie. 

I  likewise  methodized  his  account,  during  his 
residence  on  the  island,  in  the  former  manner; 
and  made  another  book  or  part;  which,  wiih  tliis 
account  of  my  finding  him  on  the  island,  and  my 
conference  %\ith  him,  completes  my  design  :  so  tha»: 
it  cannot  be  called  an  imperfect  description,  but 
complete,  in  three  books.  So  I  return  to  my 
voyage. 

In  our  voyage  from  Juan  Fernandez,  we  saw  a 
very  large  bird  which  is  called  an  Alcatres  :  these 
birds  spread  their  wings  from  eight  to  ten  feet 
wide.  In  the  Brazils  is  a  serpent  called  Liboya, 
or  the  roebuck  serpent,  the  report  of  which  is  in- 
credible (in  my  opinion),  but  athrmed  by  some  of 
the  Portuguese  ;  viz.  that  there  are  some  of  them 
thirty  feet  long,  the  body  being  as  big  as  a  hogshead, 
and  "that  he  destroys  a  roebuck  at  one  meal.  Here 
we  trafficked  for  several  sorts  of  drugs.  We  treated 
the  Portuguese  very  civilh',  who  supplied  us  with 
all  things  necessary  for  our   use.     During  our  stay 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  99 

horc,  there  arrived  a  brisantinc  laden  with  negroes, 
for  the  golden  mines.  Here  four  of  onr  men  died, 
and  tliree  ran  away  from  us,  the  last  of  which  m'c 
had  just  occasion  to  be  thankful  for,  rather  than 
sorry  ;  ft)r  Timothy  Anchors  overheard  them  dis- 
coursing that  they  designed  to  mutiny  at  our  next 
sailing,  but  was  doubtful  whether  or  no  they  might 
get  enough  on  their  side  to  overpower  the  captain 
and  liis  party  ;  and  agreeing  among  themselves  that 
it  was  a  very  ditlicult  matter  to  become  masters  of 
the  ship  ;  and,  besides,  considering  the  hazard  they 
run,  in  being  punished,  after  such  a  severe  manner 
as  they  should  be,  if  found  out  by  any  means,  before 
they  could  accomplish  their  de>ign,or  if  they  should 
fail  in  their  attempt  ;  made  them  rather  chuse  to 
desert  the  ship  than  continue  any  longer.  Though 
our  captain  was  an  extraordinary  good  man,  yet 
rogues  will  be  always  employing  their  wicked 
thoughts ;  and  neither  clemency  nor  good  usage 
can  make  such  characters  perform  their  duty  in 
their  stations. 

The  tenth  of  October,  after  having  set  Antiope, 
one  of  our  negro  women,  on  shore,  who  refused 
to  be  christened  as  Diana  was,  we  began  to  sail, 
but  kept  Elizabeth  and  Juno  on  boarrl ;  the  captain 
resolving  that  she  should  live  with  him  as  his  ser- 
vant, and  by  tliat  means  he  would  bring  up  Tom's 
child.  We  did  not  meet  with  any  thing  very  re- 
markable ;  but  after  about  twenty-four  hours'  easy- 
sail,  we  passed  the  tropic,  and  the  next  day  saw 
land.  We  stood  from  it  south  south-west,  and  had 
close  cloudy  weather  all  night,  with  sh'  wers  of 
rain.  When  day  broke,  we  i^aw  Ascension  Island 
at  about  a  league's  distance  ;  and  about  nine  o'clock 
we  came  to  an  anchor.  The  sea  is  here  very  deep. 
The  next  day  we  weighed  anchor,  and  sailing  north 
north-east,  till  the  seventeenth,  with  a  fresh  gale  at 
west  south-west,  we  crossed  the  line.  I'he  next 
day  an  ugly  accident  happened  ;  for  we   brought  a 


CO  THE  ENGLISH    HERMIT. 

j-.inns;  bear  from  Mexico ;  and  onr  men  bein<;  often 
iiM'd  t<>  play  with  iier  and  teaze  lier,  it  proved  very 
lalal  to  one  Tliad  Obrian,  an  Irish  boy,  of  about 
sivteen  years  of  age,  who  had  been  fretting  the 
creature  with  a  small  rope,  which  he  made  a  noose 
to,  and  slipped  her  hind  leg  into  it,  and  so  worried 
her.  Her  blood  growing  warm,  and  >he  being 
enraged  at  his  hunting  her  to-andfro  on  the  deck, 
where  he  happened  to  slip  down,  the  bear  imme- 
diately seized  poor  Thady  by  the  neck,  with  such 
violence  that,  before  any  body  could  deliver  him 
from  her  paws,  the  poor  boy's  throat  was  torn  to 
pieces ;  so  that  he  died  instantly. 

We  sailed  but  very  slowly  now,  meeting  with 
continual  calms,  and  directed  our  course  for  the 
Cape  Verde  islands  ;  b  it  on  the  twenty-sixth  we 
had  a  heavy  tornado,  attended  with  lightning, 
which  fell  as  if  the  elements  had  been  on  tire  ;  but 
it  continued  only  for  a  short  time  :  afterwards  the 
weather  proved  extremely  fair,  the  wind  being  fidl 
south.  A  sailor  going  up  to  furl  the  main  top- 
gallant on  the  third  of  November,  in  the  morning, 
saw  land,  and  supposed  it  to  be'  one  of  the  Cape 
Verde  islands,  bearing  north-east,  distant  about 
seven  leagues,  smooth  water,  and  fresh  gales.  About 
four  o'clock  we  bore  north  north-west,  and  went 
with  an  easy  sail  till  day-light,  and  made  the  island 
of  St.  Vincent;  when,  about  nine  o'clock,  we 
anchored  in  the  bay,  in  about  five  fathoms  water, 
where  we  rode  till  the  next  day  ;  and  then  we 
went  to  St.  Nicholas,  another  and  one  of  the  largest 
of  the  Cape  Verde  islands.  These  islands  are  so 
called  from  Cape  Verde  in  Africa,  anS  are  mostly 
inhabited  by  Portuguese.  One  of  them  is  called 
Sal :  it  derives  its  name  from  the  prodigious  quantity 
of  salt  which  is  naturally  congealed  in  salt-ponds. 
There  are  some  poor  goats  on  this  island,  and  some 
wild  fowls.  Here  are  flamingoes,  a  large  fowl  much 
like  a  heron,  but  bigger,  and  of  a  reddish  colour : 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT  61 

they  feed  together  in  muddy  ponds,  or  where  there 
is  but  little  water.  They  are  hard  to  shoot,  being 
very  shy.  .  ^ 

In  St"  Nicholas  we  traded  with  some  of  the  Spa-  ^ 
niards  for  ambergris  ;  but  they  were  very  fraudu- 
lent, having  counterfeited  it  much.  Here  are  some 
vineyards  and  plantations  belonging  to  the  Portu- 
guese, and  wine  much  like  Madeira,  of  a  pale  colour 
and  thick.     The  people  are  swarthy,  and  the   inha-  , 

bitants  live  scattered  in  the  valleys. 

Wliile  we  were  at  this  island,  we  scrubbed  our 
ship's  bottom,  and  dug  some  wells  on  tiie  shore, 
where  we  got  fresh  water.  Here  an  ugly  accident 
had  like  to  have  happened  ;  for  one  of  our  men, 
going  down  into  the  hold  with  a  candle,  set  fire  to 
a  bale  of  cotton,  which,  by  his  carelessness  had  like 
to  have  been  the  loss  of  our  ship ;  but,  thanks  to 
God,  it  was  discovered  by  its  smother,  just  before 
it  began  to  blaze  out ;  so  that  by  immediate  help 
we  got  it  extinguished.  Very  soon  after  we  hoisted 
it  upon  deck,  for  fear  any  of  the  fire  should  remain 
and  revive  again,  and  because  we  would  have  it  in 
mind  for  our  safety. 

On  the  eighth  we  ^yent  to  the  isle  of  Mayo, 
another  of  the  Cape  Verde  islands,  but  made  no  y 
stay.  We  saw  at  south-west  the  island  of  Del  Fago, 
which  is  remarkable  for  being  a  volcano,  or  burn- 
ing mountain,  out  of-  which  issue  flames  of  fire; 
but  they  are  only  discerned  in  the  night,  and  then 
they  are  seen  a  great  way  off  at  sea :  notwithstand- 
ing, tliere  are  inhabitants  on  this  island  (as  I  have 
been  informed  by  tlie  Portuguese  of  the  island  of 
St.  Nicholas)  who  lived  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain, 
near  the  sea.  There  are  also  cocoa-nuts,  plantains, 
goats,  and  fowls.  / 

In  the  island  of  St.  Aritanio,  another  of  the  Cape 
Verde  islands,  there  is  a  very  large  spider  (as  I  was 
informed  by  the  same  Portuguese)  which  weaves  its 
web  between  the   trees;  and   it  is  so  strong  that  it 


62  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

is  difficult  for  a  man  to  get  through.  Here  are  also 
wild  asses ;  likewise  salt-pits,  where  great  quanti- 
ties of  salt  are  naturally  made  by  the  sun's  heat; 
with  which  they  load  yeaily  several  ships,  and  are 
able  to  sell  much  greater  quantities  than  they  do,  if 
they  had  but  vent  for  it. 

Having  dispatched  our  affairs  at  the  Cape  Verde 
islands,  we  wtii;hed  with  the  flood,  having  a  small 
gale  at  south  south-west.  On  the  seventeenth  it  be- 
gan to  blow,  and  veered  to  the  south-west  by  south. 
That  evening  we  saw  three  sail  of  ships  at  west 
north-west,'  bearing,  as  we  supposed,  for  the  Canary 
islands,  as  well  as  ourselves.  The  night  coming  on, 
which  was  extremely  clear  and  fine,  we  passed  the 
tropic  about  the  break  of  day ;  soon  after  which  we 
observed  a  north  bank  lying  in  the  horizon.  We 
then  provided  for  a  storm,  which  those  clouds  de- 
note. Tlie  wind  was  at  north-west.  We  brought 
the  ship  under  our  main-sail  and  mizen  only,  and 
ballasted  our  mizen  ;  but  yet  the  wind  and  seas 
were  too  hit;h  for  us,  and  every  wave  seemingly 
threatened  to  overwhelm  us;  so  that  we  beat  up  and 
down  with  only  our  bare  poles,  which  we  feared 
would  break  in  upon  our  deck,  which  must  have 
foundered  us,  in  case  it  had  so  happened  :  we  also 
lowered  our  main-\ard  and  fore-yard  down  a  port- 
last,  as  I  observed  the  sailors  called  it,  that  is,  pretty 
near  the  deck  ;  and  the  wind  blew  so  extremely 
fierce  that  we  did  not  dare  to  loose  any  head-sail 
at  all ;  for,  if  we  had,  they  certainly  would  have 
been  blown  away.  During  the  storm,  it  rained 
exceedingly  fast,  which  continued  for  about  four 
hours,  when  it  changed,  and  was  pretty  calm  ;  and 
we  began  to  get  every  thing  in  good  order.  The 
wind  that  evening  changing  to  south-west,  about  six 
the  next  evening  we  saw  the  Peak  of  Teneriffe  at 
about  nine  leagues'  distance.  We  saw  some  flying- 
fish  and  a  trreai  deal  of  sea-thistle  swimming.  We 
sailed  ail  night  with  a  small  easy  gale,  and  at  break 


THE   ENGLISH   HERMIT.  63 

nf  day  made  the  Canaries;  bearing  at  north-west  uy 
west  about  tliree  leagues.  We  crowded  all  our  sail, 
and  came  to  an  anchor  in  the  harbour  t)f  Santa  Cruz 
in  the  island  of  Tenerirte,  on  the  twenty-first,  in 
about  thii  ty  fathoms  water,  black  slimy  ground,  and 
about  half  a  mile  from  the  shore.  Tlie  land  being 
for  the  must  part  pretty  high,  it  is  very  bad  going 
ashore  here  in  boats;  and  hhips  riding  here  are  oft*?n 
forced  to  put  to  sea,  or  slip  their  anchors,  by  reason 
the  road  lies  so  open  to  the  east.  Siiips  are  h  re 
Buppjied  wiih  good  water  between  the  coves,  where 
they  generally  water. 

Santa  Cruz,  a  small  town  frontin-^  the  sea,  has 
two  forts  to  secure  the  road.  Here  some  English 
merchants  reside:  their  houses  are  low  and  uniform, 
covered  with  pantiles.  Here  are  oranges,  lemons, 
and  otiier  fruits;  also  flowers  and  sallading,  and  a 
great  number  of  pleasant  gardens.  At  Oratavia  the 
country  is  so  full  of  risings  and  fallings  t.-at  it  is 
troublesome  to  walk  up  and  down  in  it:  mules  and 
asses  are  most  used  by  them.  Here  grows  the  right 
and  true  Malmsey  wine,  here  are  also  Canary  and 
Verdona,  or  green  wine  ;  likewise  a  great  many 
convents.  Ships  are  forced  to  ^lip  their  cables,  per- 
haps tliree  or  four  times,  by  reason  of  the  winds, 
and  put  to  sea  before  they  can  take  in  all  their 
ladins;.  Here  are  wheat,  barley,  maize,  beans,  peas, 
apples,  pears,  plums,  cherries,  pomegranates,  citrons, 
oranges,  lemons,  and  several  other  fruits,  excellently 
good;  also  horses,  asses,  mules,  cows,  goats,  hogs, 
deer,  and  fowl,  both  tame  and  wild,  in  gieat  plenty. 
Provisions  are  dear  on  the  trading  islands,  but  cheap 
on  the  otheis. 

Faro  isle  is  very  remarkable  :  it  hath  no  fresh 
water,  only  in  the  middle  of  the  island,  where  there 
grows  a  tree  which,  being  continually  covered  with 
clouds,  from  its  leaves  always  drop  great  quantities 
of  excellent  water.  These  Canary  i;lands  are  com- 
monly the   rendezvous   of  the   Spanish  West-India 


M  THE  ENGLISH  HEBMIT. 

fleet,  where  they  generally  receive   orders  for  un 
lading  their  wealth. 

From  the  harbour  of  Santa  Ctnz  we  sailed  on 
the  twenty  -  fifth  of  November,  to  the  Canary 
Islands :  here  the  soil  is  so  fertile  that  they  have 
tv/o  harvests  in  a  year.  Its  commodities  are  honey, 
waX;  sugar,  and  the  best  of  wines  ;  of  which  we 
took  in  a  sulficient  quantity  of  each  :  here  is  also 
dragon's- tree,  which  produces  a  red  liquor,  called 
dragon's  blood.  These  islands  are  exceedingly 
wholesome,  though  they  are  inclinable  to  heat. 

Having  taken  in  the  cargo  which  we  designed 
from  these  i^ilands,  we  sailed  thence  on  the  third  of 
Deceinbei  for  the  Madeira  Island,  with  a  fair  wind 
at  south  south-west,  and  saw  several  ships  sailing 
towards  the  Lizard.  The  next  day,  at  eisjht  in  the 
morning,  we  made  land,  which  was  the  Madeira,  at 
about  four  leagues' distance,  and  came  to  an  anchoi. 
Here  are  many  fountains  and  rivers,  which  refresh 
the  country.  It  is  a  very  beautiful  island,  exceed- 
ingly fertile,  and  produces  excellent  wine,  which  is 
very  strong.  We  anchored  in  the  port,  which  re- 
sembles a  half  moon,  not  far  from  the  town.  Near 
this  island  is  another,  not  so  large  as  this  (which  is 
about  sixty  leagues  in  compass,^  called  Porto  Santo, 
which  atiords  much  the  same  commodities  as  Ala- 
deira:  here  we  took  in  about  thirty  pipes  of  Madeira 
wine ;  and,  having  accomplished  our  business,  we 
left  that  island  on  the  tenth,  and  sailed  for  the 
Lizard  with  a  westerly  wind.  We  had  not  sailed 
above  six  leagues,  but  it  changed  to  north-east,  and 
the  sky  began  to  be  covered  with  small  hard  clouds, 
very  thick  one  by  another,  which  we  imagined  an 
approaching  storm  :  accordingly  we  provided  for  it 
by  rjeving  our  top  sails,  and  took  in  our  sails  as 
fast  as  possible.  The  wind  began  to  blow  a  very 
brisk  gale,  and  soon  after  the  storm  began  ;  the 
wind  still  increased  by  squalls  of  rain  and  hail, 
which  came  very  thick  and  fast,  and  the  s-ta  ran 


THi  »jNglish  hermit.  65 

very  high,  so  that  we  were  obliged  to  run  before 
the  wind.  We  shipped  little  or  no  water,  though 
some  washed  into  onr  upper  deck  ;  and  with  soine 
of  the  waves  a  dolphin  was  cast  thereon.  The  wind 
blew  very  hard,  but  about  eight  hours  after  it  abated 
its  fierceness,  and  then  the  wind  veered  to  the  west, 
and  the  foul  weather  broke  np,  and  we  had  smaller 
gales,  with  some  calms,  and  fair  weather.  On  the 
eighteenth  the  wind  veered  to  south  south-east, 
which  continued  a  brisk  gale  till  the  twenty-ninth, 
and  we  kept  right  before  wind  and  sea,  the  wind 
Still  increasing  ;  and  we  made  the  Lizard  on  the 
twenty-seventh,  at  about  three  leagues,  and  stood  in 
for  the  land,  an<l  came  to  an  anchor  in  King's  Road, 
January  3,  ITU  5. 

Thus  1  liave  given  an  account  of  our  voyage  from 
Mexico,  as  I  promised,  which  I  hope  may  not  be 
oflfensive  to  any  body ;  it  being  my  intention  to 
divert  the  readers,  rather  than  displease  them. 

N.B.  The  ship  belonged  to  Bri^ol.  I  commu- 
nicated the  following  memoirs  to  a  friend  in  London, 
in  order  to  be  published;  which,  if  approved  of  by 
the  public,  I  shall,  at  my  return,  be  very  well  satis- 
fied. Li  the  mean  time  I  have  that  business  calls 
me  k)  Peru  and  Mexico  again  ;  in  wliich  voyage  I 
hope  to  see  poor  Phil,  my  good  old  hermit.  Ani 
80  I  take  my  leave   and  end  the  First  Part. 

Edward  Dorrington. 

Bristol,  Nov.  6,  1725. 


Z' 


BOOK  II. 


A.V  ACCOUNT  OK  THE  BIRTH  AND  EDVC<TIO\  OP 
PHII.II'  yi  ARM,  ;  AS  ALSO  THK  MOST  SI  K  I'K  ISl  NG 
TRANSACI  10N>>  OK  HIS  I.IKE,  KKOM  HIS  INKA.NCV 
TO  HIS  BKING  CAST  AWAY.  TAKKN  KKOM  THE 
MKMOIKS  HK  C  A  V  K  TO  MR.  KOWAKIJ  L)OK  K  I  SGTO.N, 
THK  PKKSO.N    WHO   FOL'.NU  HIM   O.N  THE   ISLA.NU. 

Philip  Qcari.l  was  born  in  Ihe  parish  of  St.  Giles, 
in  the  year  ltJ47.  His  father,  Thomas  Qiiarll,  for- 
merly a  master  biiiUler,  having  iinfortiinaiely  niined 
himself  ill  building,  was  at  last  reduced  to  work  at 
the  hiburions  and  mean  business  of  brick-making. 
His  poor  wife  also  was  obliged  to  lay  lur  hand  to 
the  labonring  oar,  so  went  a  charing:  which  slavish 
and  cuutiniiig  occupation  robbed  her  of  the  necess- 
sary  time  to  attend  to  the  frnit  of  her  conjugal  attec- 
tion,  her  beluvtd  Phil,  so  that  she  was  obliged, 
whilst  she  and  her  poor  yoke-fellow  were  drudging 
to  ge;  hiin  bread,  to  commit  him  to  the  care  of  one 
kind  neighbour  or  another,  for  a  small  consideration, 
till  he  cimld  prattle  and  .o  alone  ;  at  which  time 
she  put  him  to  school  to  a  good  old  almswoman, 
Where  he  continue(i  till  he  was  six  years  old. 

One  day  a  neighbour,  who  formerly  had  the  cart 
of  tlie  cliild  in  liis  mother's  absence,  having  con- 
tracted a  piuticniar  love  for  him,  being  a  very  pretty 
child;  finding  him,  after  school-time,  sitting  at  bji 


.     THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  67 

father's  door,  takes  him  by  the  hand  and  leads  him 
to  his  mother,  then  at  work  at  an  old  lady's  house 
in  Great  Riissel-street. 

The  housekeeper,  who  was  naturally  fond  of 
children,  seeing  this  pretty  child,  takes  him  up  in 
her  arms,  and  runs  np  to  her  good  old  lady,  who 
had  just  ended  her  customary  private  devotion. 

The  child,  whom  the  poor  woman  kept  very  neat 
and  clean,  beyond  what  could  be  expected  out  of 
her  small  gettings,  was  naturally  very  handsome  ; 
being  tall  for  his  age,  and  well-shaped,  his  features 
regular  and  well-proportioned,  his  complexion  fair, 
his  hair  long  and  curling,  his  countenance  mild  and 
sprightly,  his  behaviour  gentle  and  easy  :  all  which 
qualifications  rendered  him  completely  amiable,  and 
made  the  old  lady  conceive  an  inclination  for  him 
uncommon  for  a  stianger's  child,  especially  of  so 
mean  a  birth. 

Thus  having  often  kissed  him,  she  wished  he  had 
been  her  own.  "  But  why,"  said  she,  "can't  I  do 
f«r  this  lovely  creature,  though  no  kin  to  me  by 
birth  ?  Nature,  who  has  endued  him  with  qualifi- 
cations so  proximal  and  suitable  to  my  inclination, 
has,  by  sympathy,  made  him  related  to  me.  His 
mother  gave  him  birth,  which,  without  prejudice 
to  her  own  life,  she  could  not  refuse  ;  now  I'll  give 
him  education,  the  principal  and  most  necessary  care 
by  which  real  love  can  be  expressed  to  a  child." 

So,  having  given  orders  that  a  good  school  might 
be  enquired  after,  she  put  him  to  board  to  a  master, 
whose  most  commendable  character  of  instructing 
his  scholars  in  their  duty  to  God  and  man,  as  well 
as  in  literature,  had  procured  him  a  considerable 
number  of  children  of  the  best  families  ;  where  she 
intended  to  have  kept  him  till  he  was,  in  years  and 
learning,  qualified  for  some  genteel  trade;  intending 
to  leave  him,  in  her  will,  forty  pounds  to  set  him  up, 
when  out  ot  his  time. 

But  now  ill  fate  begins  to  show  its  averseness  to 
F  2 


68  THE  fi,*GUSH    HBRttIT, 

poor  Phil's  happiness  :  the  worthy  lady  died  sud- 
denly, and  was  interred  a  few  days  after,  to  his 
unspeakable  prejudice  and  tiireatening  ruin.  But 
watchttil  Providence,  who  had  decreed  him  good, 
averted  the  apparent  evil,  and  only  permitted  some 
interception  to  her  purposes,  the  better  to  raise 
his  esteem  of  her  succeeding  favours  when  sensible 
of  them. 

The  master,  having  conceived  a  particular  love 
for  the  boy  (whose  uncommon  docility,  and  extra- 
ordinary aptness  in  learning,  had  overtaken  the  rest 
of  his  school-fellows,  though  of  a  much  longer  stand- 
ing), was  very  much  vexed  at  the  thoui^hts  of  his 
going  away  to  his  parents,  they  being  no  longer 
able  to  continue  his  schooling  :  he  was  unwilling  to 
part  with  the  boy,  and  much  disturbed  to  lose 
twelve  pounds  a  year  for  a  boarder.  His  love  for 
the  child,  whom  he  had  in  a  manner  adopted  for  his 
own,  would  now  and  then  rouse  slumbering  Charity, 
whom  self-interest  too  often  casts  asleep.  "  Pity," 
said  he,  "  such  blooming  wisdom  and  forward  learn- 
ing should  wither  away  for  want  of  cultivation." 
Thus  having  pondered  awliile,  love  and  charity, 
after  a  long  struggle  with  interest,  gained  the  vic- 
tory. The  old  man  concludes  to  give  him  his  learn- 
ing, if  his  relations  would  only  find  him  in  board 
and  otlier  necessaries. 

This  being  concluded  upon  by  both  parties,  Phil 
continued  going  to  school  for  the  space  of  four  years 
longer;  during  which  time  he  made  himself  a  com- 
plete master  of  the  grammar,  writing,  and  arithme- 
tic ;  he  also  made  a  vast  improvement  in  singing, 
having  all  that  time  been  taught  by  a  master,  who 
attended  some  boarders  three  times  a  week  ;  who, 
finding  an  extraordinary  voice,  and  natural  dispo- 
sition in  the  boy,  took  a  fancy  to  teach  him  :  so 
that  Phil  was,  in  some  respects,  qualified  to  attend 
the  school  in  the  nature  of  usher,  had  his  age  per- 
mitted it.     But  as  he  was  as  yet  too  young  to  keep 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  69 

the  scholars  in  that  awe  which  is  necessary  in  a 
school,  the  master  only  gave  him  his  board,  till  the 
elder  scholars  left  oft",  and  he  was  grown  bigger; 
intending  then  to  allow  him  a  sufficiency  to  main- 
tain himself,  as  others  in  that  station.  But  ill  fate 
still  attends  the  poor  boy  ;  the  good  old  man  died 
in  less  than  a  twelvemonth,  and  was  succeeded  by 
a  superannuated  nonconformist  minister;  who,  hav- 
ing not  so  prosperous,  a  school  as  his  predecessor, 
had  no  business  for  an  assistant  :  so  Phil  was  a 
second  time  obliged  to  return  to  his  poor  mother 
(his  father  being  dead) ;  who,  not  being  in  a  capa- 
city to  do  for  him  as  his  education  and  natural 
parts  really  deserved,  proposed  to  him  to  learn  some 
trade,  in  order  to  get  his  bread  honestly  and  credit- 
ably, when  she  should  be  no  more  able  to  help  him, 
having,  by  her  hard  working  and  frugal  living,  made 
snift  to  lay  up  five  pounds,  which  she  dedicated  to 
that  purpose. 

Poor  Phil,  who  had  conceived  a  notion  that  there 
is  a  servitude  and  hardship  entailed  upon  that  sta- 
tion, was  very  loth  to  resolve  upon  entering  into  it ; 
but  as  he  was  a  very  discreet  boy,  not  inclined  to 
play,  as  children  commonly  are,  and  seeing  that 
there  was  a  necessity  for  him  to  resolve  npon  some- 
thing, to  make  his  choice  the  more  easy,  he  con- 
sults the  master's  nature  and  temper,  rather  than 
the  goodness  and  profitableness  of  the  trade  ;  and  as 
there  lived  in  the  neighbourhood  a  locksmith,  ever 
since  he  was  born,  who  being  great  with  his  father, 
would  often  play  with  him  when  a  child,  and  now 
and  then  give  him  farthings  to  buy  fruit ;  he  chose 
to  be  bound  to  him,  which  was  done  in  about  a 
month's  time. 

They  both  agreed  wonderfully  well,  the  master 
being  very  kind  and  good-natured,  and  the  man  as 
diligent  and  careful ;  so  that  those  fears  of  meeting 
with  hardships  being  dispersed,  he  cheerfully  worked 
on,  without  thinking  the  time  tedious.  But  this  hap- 


70  THE  EifGLESH  HERMIT. 

piness,  though  slight,  was  but  of  a  short  lasting ;  for 
the  poor  man,l)aving  been  bound  for  a  relation  who 
failed,  had  all  his  etlects  seized  upon,  and  himself 
thrown  into  gaol ;  and  poor  Phil,  in  a  year's  time, 
was  obliged  to  go  to  his  mother  again. 

This  accident  was  a  vast  disappointment  to  the 
boy's  learning  his  trade,  he  being  obliged  to  be  idle, 
his  unfortunate  master  begging  that  he  would  seek 
after  no  other,  hoping  every  day  to  make  up  his 
affairs,  and  carry  on  business  again  :  so  that  the  lad, 
for  want  of  employment,  would  play  about  the 
streets  with  neiglibours'  children. 

One  day,  as  he  was  playing  at  leap-frog  with 
other  boys,  there  happened  to  go  by  one  James 
Turner,  a  house-breaker,  who,  takijig  notice  of  his 
activity,  which  much  exceeded  the  rest,  judged  he 
might  be  of  great  use  to  iiim  in  the  practice  of  his 
art.  The  meanness  of  his  dress,  whicli  spoke  him 
of  no  considerable  family,  gave  him  room  to  hope  that 
he  might  easily  get  him  :  so,  having  stopped  awhile 
he  took  'the  opportunity  that  the  boy,  being  hot 
with  running  and  jumping,  went  to  drink  at  a  pump 
hard  by.  He  takes  him  by  the  arin,  saying — "  Do 
you  mean  to  kill  yourself,  child,  to  go  and  drink 
cold  water  now,  when  you  are  hot  ?  Come  along 
with  me,  and  I  will  give  thee  a  draught  of  good 
ale  :  you  shall  only  go  a  short  errand  for  me." 

"  Will  you,  master?"  the  innocent  boy  answered; 
"  I  will  go  your  errand,  if  it  is  not  too  far."  So 
followed  him  to  an  alehouse  in  a  blind  alley,  not  far 
thence',  which  he  commonly  used.  Being  come,  he 
calls  for  a  quart,  and  bids  the  boy  take  a  hearty 
pull ;  which  he  did,  being  very  dry,  and  the  liquor 
as  pleasant :  this  being  done  a  second  time,  it  began 
to  creep  into  his  head,  not  being  used  to  strong 
drink  ;  and  in  a  little  time  he  fell  asleep  on  the 
bench  on  which  he  sat. 

The  seducer  thinking  himself  secure  of  him,  leaves 
bim  to  take  his  nap,  shutting  the  door  upon  him. 


THE   ENGLISH   V^eRMIT.  71 

aTl  charging  the  people  of  the  house  not  to  awake 
him,  nor  let  him  go  away  when  awake,  till  he  re- 
turned ;  so  went  to  get  ready  the  implements  neces- 
sary to  set  his  evil  project  into  execution,  having 
determined  to  rob  a  rich  merchant  that  night ;  in 
wliich  wicked  action  he  intended  to  make  the  harm- 
less boy  his  chief  instrument,  by  putting  Iiim  in  at  a 
hole  he  was  to  break,  and  then  to  (ipen  the  door  for 
him,  under  the  pretence  that  it  was  his  uncle,  who 
was  so  ill-natured  as  to  lock  him  out,  if  not  at  home 
at  the  shop  shutting  up. 

Having  got  the  tools,  he  returned  to  the  boy, 
whom  he  found  just  awake,  and  very  uneasy  to  go 
home,  having  slept  till  it  was  dark,  being  afraid  to 
anger  his  relations  by  staying  out  late,  contrary  to 
his  custom,  being  used  to  orderly'  hours;  and  would 
have  gone  away,  had  not  Turner,  whose  projects 
would  have  been  quite  unhinged,  used  all  the  de- 
vices he  was  master  of  to  persuade  him.  First  he 
bespeaks  a  supper  of  that  which  the  boy  liked  best, 
wlio,  since  his  being  come  from  the  boarding-school, 
had  been  used  to  none  but  coarse  meat,  his  poor 
parent's  ability  affording  no  better:  then,  to  divert 
away  the  time  he  intended  to  prolong  till  liis  oppor- 
tunity suited,  he  told  him  sereral  stories,  and  most 
particularly  that  of  his  pretended  uncle's  unkind- 
ness  to  lock  him  out  of  doors,  and  of  his  cunning 
invention  to  get  in  at  his  own  time,  and  unknown 
to  him  ;  hut  that  he  was  afraid  he  must  be  forced 
to  lie  out  tiiat  night,  wiiich  would  be  his  death,  not 
';eing  used  to  such  hardship.  Ti;e  poor  tender- 
hearted boy,  who  could  scarce  forbear  crying,  whilst 
he  related  this  dismal  story  of  his  uncle's  unkind 
usage,  asked  him  what  was  the  matter  lie  could  not 
get  in  that  night  as  well  as  at  other  tiintw  ?  "  Be- 
cause," replied  the  slj'  knave,  "  the  poor  boy  that 
used  to  let  me  in  is  sick  of  the  small-pox,  as  1  have 
heard  since  you  fell  asleep." 

"  What !    can't  you    get    somebody  else  1"  said 


72  THE  ENGLISH  HEhMlT. 

■simple  Phil.  "  I  would  do  that  for  yon,  if  I  conld 
tell  how  to  get  into  my  own  home  ;  for  my  mother 
goes  to  bed  betimes,  being  obliged  to  get  up  early." 
"  As  for  that  matier,"  answered  the  subtle  ser- 
pent, "  do  not  trouble  yourself ;  I  will  provide  a 
bed  for  yon."  Thus,  having  removed  botli  that  and 
all  other  obstacles  the  boy  raised,  he  persuades  him 
to  stay. 

But  ever-watchful  Providence  rescues  his  ensnared 
innocence.  Some  Lours  before  he  was  to  go  about 
the  execution  of  that  evil  project.  Turner  was  ap- 
prehended for  a  great  robbery  he  committed  the 
night  before  in  Liine-street ;  and  the  boy  being  in 
his  company,  was  also  carried  before  a  magistrate. 
But  the  justice  understanding,  by  the  innocent  boy's 
defence,  he  hardly  was  yet  guilty  of  any  robbery, 
having  regard  to  iiis  youth  and  modest  countenance, 
reprimanded  him  for  his  easiness  of  being  drawn 
into  bad  company,  and  warned  him  to  be  more 
cautious  for  the  future  ;  so  discliargtd  liim,  and  com- 
mitted Turner,  who  was  hanged. 

That  accident,  though  very  lucky  by  preserving 
innocent  Pliil  from  being  made  accessory  to  a  robbery 
which  would  have  put  his  life  in  jeopardy,  at  the 
end  proved  fatal ;  he  having  thereby  gained  the 
character  of  belonging  to  some  ill  gang,  for  which 
reason  nobody  cared  to  be  concerned  willi  him, 
which  grieved  his  poor  mother. 

The  poor  widow  (being  left  with  her  unfortunate 
son,  who  she  feared  would  take  to  some  evil  owing  to 
want,  which  often  tempts  the  innocently-inclined) 
not  being  able,  out  of  her  small  gettings,  to  main- 
tain him  as  when  assisted  by  her  late  husband  ;  and 
seeing  no  prospect  of  his  master's  coming  out  of 
prison  and  being  set  up  again,  endeavouieil  to  get 
him  into  some  place  to  wait  upon  some  of  her  mis- 
tresses :  but  the  unlucky  accident  of  being  had  be- 
fore a  justice  of  the  peace,  with  a  notorious  house- 
breaker,  frustrated  her   endeavouris ;  so   that   poor 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  73 

Phil  was  obliged  to  continue  with  his  mother,  in  a 
very  mean  condition,  which  his  honest  mother  very 
much  feared  would  induce  liim  to  evil  company,  of 
which  the  parish  she  lived  in  swarmed  :  but  the 
good  instructions  which  were  given  him  in  his 
infancy,  before  bad  examples  could  have  made  any 
impression  on  his  mind,  kept  out  of  his  thoiiglits  all 
wicked  devices.  Thus,  seeing  no  probability  of 
amendment  in  the  station  he  was  in,  he  resolved 
upon  going  to  sea,  wanting  for  that  employment 
neither  character  nor  recommendation,  which  he 
was  sensible  would  be  a  hard  matter  to  get,  by 
reason  of  this  most  fatal  accident. 

Thus,  having  imparted  his  design  to  his  loving 
mother,  who,  with  much  reluctance,  acquiesced  in 
his  going  from  her,  and  leaving  his  native  country, 
where  she  once  had  hopes  to  see  him  well  settled  ; 
she,  with  weeping  eyes,  implores  the  Almighty  to 
direct  and  receive  him  into  his  protection  :  and  as 
she  was  acquainted  with  no  one  that  conld  direct 
and  advise  him  in  that  matter,  she  bid  him  go  to 
St.  Catherine's ;  "  there,"  said  she,  "  you  may  chance 
to  hear  of  some  captain  or  master  of  a  ship,  bound 
for  some  short  voyage,  who  perhaps  Jiiay  want  a 
cabin-boy;  which  is,  my  dear  child,  all  that  your 
age  and  strength  qualifies  you  for  :  in  a  few  years, 
with  tliehelp  of  God,  you  may  find  some  advantageous 
opportunity  to  advance  yourself  by  your  learning." 
So,  having  given  him  sixpence  to  bear  his  charges, 
with  a  tender  kiss,  she  goes  to  her  wonted  occupa- 
tion, and  he  straight  to  St.  Catherine's,  where 
Providence  had  prepared  a  master  for  him  ;  he 
being  no  sooner  come  thither  than  a  captain  of  a 
ship,  bound  for  the  East  Indies,  taking  a  particular 
fancy  to  him,  asked  him  whether  he  would  go  to 
sea ;  and  that,  if  he  was  so  disposed,  he  would  take 
him  to  look  after  his  cabin,  and  provide  very 
well  for  him. 
The  gentle  manner  in  which  he  spoke  to  '.he  boy, 


74  THE  ENGL\=.a   HERMIT. 

and  his  mild  countenance,  made  a  vast  progress  in 
his  (Hffction  :  ?o,  luiviiig  joyfully  accepted  his  offer, 
he  desires  that  he  may  run  home,  and  acquaint  his 
nintlier  of  it.  Tlie  captain,  iiaving  taken  his  name 
and  place  of  abode,  ijave  him  half-a-crown  to  spend 
with  his  mother,  and  then  to  come  to  him,  at  the 
si.cn  of  the  B  ack  Boy,  near  the  Iron  Gate;  that 
he  need  bring  no  clothes  with  him  ;  for  he  would 
provide  every  thing  necessary  for  the  voyatje. 

The  overjoyed  boy,  having  told  his  mother  of  his 
extraordinary  success,  gave  her  the  money,  being 
in  great  haste  to  return  to  iiis  new  master  :  so,  hav- 
ing embraced  liis  tender  mother,  and  she  her  dear 
son,  weeping  over  one  another  for  some  time,  he 
leaves  her  at  lier  work. 

The  good  woman,  though  she  had  all  the  reason 
in  the  world  to  be  easy  in  her  mind  that  the  boy 
was  out  of  those  temptations  which  great  want,  and 
bad  company,  might  lead  him  into,  could  not  be 
reconciled  at  his  going  from  her  :  but,  seeing  no 
remedy,  she  send?  crowds  of  prayers  afier  him, 
accompanied  with  showers  of  tears,  reconi mending 
him  to  tiie  care  of  Heaven,  to  whom  she  daily 
made  addresses  for  his  prosperity. 

•Phil,  who  from  his  infancy  had  been  used  to  be 
from  his  mother,  was  less  disturbed  at  his  leaving 
her,  nothing  but  this  newly  intended  voyage  running 
in  his  mind  ;  so  he  hastened  to  the  rendezvous  his  new 
master  had  appointed  him  ;  wiio,  not  expecting  that 
he  would  return,  was  so  glad  to  see  him  liiat  he 
went  that  moment  and  bought  him  botli  clothes  and 
linen  fit  for  the  sea  ;  so  equipping  him  anew  cap-a- 
pee  ;  then  took  him  home,  and,  in  a  few  days  after, 
set  sail  for  a  three  years'  voyage. 

During  their  sailing,  Phil,  whose  agreeable  aspect 
and  temper  had  gained  him  all  the  ship's  crew's 
love,  being  often  with  the  man  at  the  helm,  soon 
learned  the  compass;  and,  by  the  instructions  every 
body  o  board  strove  to  give  hini,  in  a  little  time 
ii«   was  qualified  for  a   sailor;  which    his   master 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  75 

being  made  sensible  of,  whom  he  had  often  diverted 
with  his  singing  during  that  voyage,  alljovved  him 
sailor's  pay,  the  following  voyage,  which  was  soon 
after;  for,  in  less  than  tliree  weeks'  time,  the  ship 
was  new-laden,  and  set  out  again  for  the  same 
place,  and  was  gone  as  long  as  before  ;  at  the  end 
whereof,  it  returned  home  richly  laden,  and  in  a 
shorter  time  than  was  common  :  which  being  put  in 
the  news,  as  usual,  prompted  a  certain  number  of 
Drury  Lane  nymphs  to  go  down  to  the  place  where 
they  heard  the  ship  was  arrived  ;  supposing  that 
the  lusty  sailors,  having  a  long  time  been  confined 
to  salt  meat,  would  at  their  arrival,  being  flush  of 
money,  pui  chase  a  bit  of  fresh  at  any  rate. 

Being  come  to  Gravesend,  where  the  ship  lay, 
they  found,  according  to  custom,  the  jolly  crew  in  an 
alehouse,  spending  like  asses,  what  they  had  earned 
like  horses,  even  before  they  had  received  it. 

At  the  ladies'  coming,  the  elevated  sailors,  who 
had  been  sailing  on  salt  water  for  the  space  of  three 
years,  and  since  set  their  brains  floating  in  strong 
drink  for  six  hours,  having  lost  the  rudder  of  their 
reason,  ran  headlong  upon  those  quick  -  sands, 
where  most  of  them  lost  all  they  had,  before  they 
could  get  ofl:". 

The  ingenious  ladies,  who  had  more  wit  than 
honesty,  improved  the  absence  of  their  understand- 
ing; and,  being  very  expert  in  the  art  of  fathom- 
ing, they  fell  to  examining  the  depth  of  those 
shallow-brained  fellows'  pockets ;  which  finding 
very  low,  they  were  much  disheartened  from  going 
on,  for  fear  of  running  a-ground  :  but,  understand- 
ing that  their  ship  had  not  yet  been  cleared,  they 
cast  their  anchor  there,  waiting  for  a  fresh  gale. 

Mean  time,  the  merry  sailors,  fearing  no  storm, 
gave  themselves  up  to  sport ;  and,  for  better  diver- 
sion, every  man  takes  a  play-fellow,  and  goes  aside, 
leaving  bashful  Phil  behind  ;  'ho,  being  a  stranger 
to  they  game   they  were  sjoing  to  play  at,  did  not 


7(5  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

dare  to  pet  in  for  a  partner :  but,  cross  fate  still  at- 
tending  liini,  a  snare  is  laid,  in  wliich  lie  must  fall. 

Every  man,  except  modest  Qiiarll,  being  gone 
away  with  a  wench;  one  being  come,  supernu- 
merary, staid  behind.  The  crafty  creature,  who, 
from  her  first  coming  in,  had  fixed  on  ihe  innocent 
young  man  for  fier  quarry,  kept  at  some  distance 
from  her  comrades ;  waiting  their  absence  to  work 
her  design. 

Unthinking  Phil,  having  no  su<:picion  of  her 
cunning  devices,  lying  entirely  unguarded  against 
her  sly  attacks,  stood  no  long  siege,  but  capitulated 
at  the  first  summons.  It  is  true,  she  was  provided 
with  such  artillery  as  no  fortifications  against  love 
could  withstand,  but  would  force  tlie  most  stubborn 
to  surrender,  or  at  least  parley  down  the  fore-runne' 
thereof. 

Thus  having  opened  her  basilisk's  eyes  upon  him, 
as  being  the  first  battering-piece  the  sex  plants, 
when  they  purpose  a  breach  in  a  man's  heari;  she 
charges  him  with  a  volley  of  engaging  words,  whilst 
her  looks  and  carriage  ofter  iiim  such  prevailing 
terms  as  no  man  of  any  feeling  can  refuse  ;  there- 
fore, being  an  exquisite  mistress  of  her  art,  she 
soon  obtains  her  ends. 

Poor  Quarll,  whose  heart  till  then  had  never  been 
besieged,  finding  the  invader  more  tempting  than 
dreadful,  she  having  a  very  agreeable  shape,  charm- 
ing complexion,  and  most  engaging  features,  sur- 
renders up  at  discretion,  and  submits  even  to  bear 
the  yoke  of  matrimony  ;  which,  in  less  than  an  hour, 
is  laid  upon  him  ;  the  chaplain  of  a  man  of  war, 
who  lodged  in  the  house,  happening  to  come  in  at 
that  critical  minute. 

By  that  time,  the  absent  revelling  crew  were 
cloyed  with  their  mistresses,  and  had  dismissed 
them  with  rough  usage  and  ill  language,  of  which 
they  generally  are  flush,  when  money  is  scant. 

The  disappointed  wretches,  seeing  no  redress  for 


TSK  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  77 

their  treatment  lately  received,  which  they  well 
knew  proceeded  from  want  of  money,  concluded 
upon  staying  in  that  place  till  flieir  ship  was 
cleared  ;  hy  which  time  their  appetite  being  sharp- 
ened again,  and  they  flush  of  money,  and  hoping 
they  would  also  be  better  chaps;  they  took  a  garret 
in  a  little  strong-water-shop,  where  they  made  shift 
to  kennel  together,  and  live  upon  short  commons. 

Our  new  married  couple,^ whose  money  was  but 
scanty,  were  also  obliged  to  put  up  with  indifferent 
quarters ;  but  the  hopes  of  receiving  the  poor 
husband's  pay  soon,  and,  withal,  the  thoughts  of 
being  protected  from  a  gaol,  which  she  was  in 
danger  of  before  married,  being  the  principle 
advantage  she  proposed  to  herself  by  having  a 
husband,  it  made  her  now  easy.  But  she  and  all 
the  rest  of  her  companions  were  disappointed.  The 
ship  being  unladen,  the  cargo  proved  damaged,  by 
the  leaking  of  the  vessel,  which  is  commonly  made 
good  by  the  sailors :  so  that  instead  of  three  years' 
wages  being  due,  the  poor  men  stood  indebted  to 
the  merchants. 

That  disappointment  put  the  unfortunate  seamen, 
and  especially  the  ladies,  into  a  sad  consternation ; 
the  former  being  obliged  to  go  another  voyage  with 
empty  pockets,  and  the  latter  to  seek  for  cullies  to 
support  their  extravagance,  and  to  pay  for  nevir 
lodgings. 

Phil,  who,  during  his  voyage,  had  saved  a  little 
money,  which  his  master  gave  him  at  sundry  times, 
being  disgusted  at  the  sea  by  the  late  accident, 
resolves  to  seek  his  better  fortune  in  another 
manner. 

His  crafty  wife  who  was,  by  her  marriage,  screen- 
ed from  her  creditors,  depending  upon  her  former 
occupation,  indulged  him  in  that  resolution ;  so 
they  set  out  with  what  little  he  had,  and  arrived 
pretty  bare.  Finding  no  friends  in  London,  his 
master  being  dead  whilst  he  was  at  sea,  he  resolves 


78  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

to  enlist  in  the  foot-guards  for  bread,  having  no  other 
dependence  ;  so  he  consults  with  his  spouse  about  a 
lodging,  till  he  had  quarters  appointed  for  him.  She 
indeed  was  '"est  acquainted  with  the  town,  and 
knew  of  several  that  would  suit  both  their  stock 
and  station,  but  durst  go  to  none,  having  bilked 
most  of  tliein,  and  left  a  score  with  the  rest.  But 
lodging  must  be  had  before  night ;  and  the  day  was 
far  spent;  which  set  lier  a  thinking,  neces.«ity  being 
vhe  mother  of  invention  :  and  she,  as  is  peculiar  to 
women  of  tier  employment,  being  well  acquainted 
with  it,  was  no  stranger  to  shifts ;  and  presently 
finds  one. 

Having  pondered  for  a  short  time,  she  concludes 
upon  going  to  her  last  lodgings ;  where,  though  she 
was  considerably  in  debt,  she  questioned  not  but  she 
should  still  tind  a  kind  reception,  and  that  her  land- 
ladj',  where  she  had  been  about  a  fortnight,  having 
given  over  her  debt,  would  at  her  coming  slacken 
the  ill  opinion  she  had  conceived  of  her,  and  afford 
her  kind  tisage  :  so  having  fixed  a  rendezvous  for 
her  husband,  she  hastens  there  ;  where  she  found, 
as  was  expected,  the  old  woman  as  overjoyed  as 
Burprized  to  see  her;  and  much  more  when  she 
understood  she  was  married  to  a  sailor,  lately 
arrived  from  a  three  years'  voyage  ;  who  in  a  short 
time  would  be  cleared,  and  that  then  she  would  rub 
off  her  score.  The  old  woman,  thinking  herself 
secure  of  her  debt,  and  sure  of  a  good  customer, 
bids  her  kindly  welcome  ;  and  that  she  hoped  she 
would  take  no  other  lodging  but  in  her  house  ;  that 
she  would  make  every  thing  as  easy  and  convenient 
as  she  should  desire  ;  being  as  welcome  to  score  as 
with  ready  money. 

The  subtle  woman,  having  gained  her  ends,  goes 
and  fetches  her  husband,  whom  the  over-reached 
old  woman  receives  most  kindly,  expressing  her 
lore  by  a  quartern  of  all-fours,  the  chief  commodity 
of  her  house :  that  being  drunk,  was  succeeded  by 


THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  79 

a  seronil,  at  the  new  tenant's  «.ost ;  wliich  being 
brr.iii;til,  Willi  a  clieeiriil  wilroiiR'  to  as  many  us 
Ihey  |)Ii-a-til,  enc<mra<;ed  llie  coming  in  of  lialf  a 
dti/eii  more  :  lhe«e  warnieil  the  ciMiipany,  ami 
pariiciilaiiy  the  landlady  ;  who,  having  giicifd 
Qnaill  lor  liis  most  happy  tnaniage,  over  and  ovir 
lell  upon  praising  his  wife,  whom  she  had  l^nowii 
for  a  long  time;  giving  her  all  the  encomiiiins  that 
viitiie  ilsilf  coidd  deserve. 

in  this  manner  they  lived  about  a  fortnight,  still 
upon  score;  which  increasing  very  fast,  and  no 
prospect  of  money,  it  obliged  the  landlady  to  put 
Ihein  in  mind;  often  asking  wiien  they  expected  llie 
ship  to  be  cleared.  Qiiarll,  who  discerned,  by  the 
cloud  which  appeared  over  her  brow ,  a  threalening 
storm,  begins  to  think  of  a  harbour,  and  forthwith 
goes  and  enlists  himself  in  the  foot-gnards. 

In  that  mean  station,  which  often  is  the  last  spite 
of  a  surly  fate,  a  continuation  of  misfortunes  at- 
tends him  :  the  company  in  which  he  enlisted  is  full 
of  iriercers  and  sliopkeepers,  who,  for  a  protection, 
took  on  in  the- sei  vice,  and  quitted  their  pay  to  the 
covetous  colonel,  to  be  exempted  from  duty,  which 
made  it  fall  heavy  on  the  effective  men  :  but  kind 
Providence,  who  ever  limited  the  evil  that  attended 
him  by  fortune,  ordered  this  its  vexatious  influence 
to  turn  to  his  advantage. 

One  day  that  he  inonnted  gnard  out  of  liis  turn, 
being  upon  duty  at  the  Park-gale  next  to  Chelsea, 
about  (en  at  niglit,  the  place  being  clear  of  people, 
he  fell  a  singing,  to  divert  melancholy  thoughts, 
•which  solit  de  is  apt  to  indulge  :  at  that  time  hap- 
pened to  come  by  a  colonel  of  the  same  regiment, 
■vvho,  being  merrily  disposed,  stopped  for  several 
minutes  to  hear  hiin  sing  :  Quarll,  having  made  at* 
enn  or  nis  song,  fell  a  whistling  the  tune  ;  at  which 
tiie  colonel  came  to  him,  saying — "  How  can  you 
profane  such  a  fine  tune  with  whistling,  when  you 
can   smg  it  so  well  ?    Pray  let  me   hear  you  do  it 


80  THE  ENGLISH  HERHIT. 

once  more :  and  grace  it  with  that  good  voice 
nati^re  has  given  you."  Quarll,  having  made  some 
few  modest  excuses,  yields  to  his  pressing  solicita- 
tion, and  sings  the  same  song  over  again,  and  with 
more  care  than  before ;  which  so  pleased  the  gen- 
tleman that  he  stood  half  an  hour  with  him,  asking 
Lim  questions,  and  being  by  him  informed  whose 
company  he  belonged  to,  having  his  consent  to  be 
exchanged,  he  gives  him  five  shillings  to  drink  his 
health;  and  charges  him  to  come  to  him,  at  the 
Mitre  Tavern  at  Charing-cross,  the  next  day  at 
eight  of  the  clock  in  the  evening,  and  ask  for 
Colonel  Bonguard  :  so  went  away. 

Quarll,  heing  olf  duty,  the  next  day  went  to  the 
place,  at  the  time  appointed  ;  where  he  finds  the 
colonel,  in  company  with  half  a  score  more  gentle- 
men, who  received  him  with  more  civility  and 
complaisance  than  is  commonly  paid  to  men  of  his 
ccat ;  so,  having  desired  him  to  sit  down  amongst 
them,  and  the  glass  going  round  once  or  twice,  the 
colonel  having  praised  his  singing  to  the  company, 
he  was  desired  to  compliment  them  with  a  song  ; 
if  he  pleased,  with  that  he  sung  to  the  colonel  the 
night  before.  Quarll,  having  modestly  told  the 
genileintn  he  wished  that  his  skill  and  voice 
deserved  the  honour  of  their  hearing,  and  that  he 
would  do  the  best  he  could,  having  at  their  request 
drunk  another  glass,  sung  the  song  they  desired, 
to  their-  great  satisfaction  and  applause. 

After  a  short  space  of  time  was  spent  in  the 
praise  of  singing,  and  a  talk  of  what  an  engaging 
accomplishment  it  is,  either  in  man  or  wojnan  ; 
some  of  the  company  holding  that  the  charms  of 
musick  are  no  wise  inferior  to  the  power  of  love  ; 
it  occasioned  a  very  agreeable  debate ;  there  being 
in  the  company  a  gentleman  unfortunately  under 
that  circumstance,  who  would  give  love  the  supre- 
macy over  all  that  can  attect  our  minds  ;  seeing  it 
Strips  a  man  of  the  benefits  of  his   own   senses,  of 


THE  ENGLISH   HKRMIT.  81 

the  strength  of  his  reason,  and  soundness  of  judg- 
ment. No  object  is  fair  but  that  whose  idea  hath 
impressed  tlie  mind  ;  no  harmony  heard  but  in  the 
beloved  voice,  or  that  which  sounds  its  praise; 
dainties  have  no  savour  in  tlie  absence  of  tliat  which 
every  tiling  relishes;  the  fairest  days  are  but  dull,  it 
not  enlivened  by  the  light  of  the  charmer's  presence. 

Thus  he  ran  on,  till  the  company,  perceiving  he 
was  beginning  to  be  uneasy,  desired  Quarll  to  sing 
the  gentleman  a  love  song  who  spoke  so  much  in 
its  praise  ;  which  he  did,  and  pleased  the  lover  so 
exceedingly  that  he  made  him  a  present  of  half  a 
guinea.  The  gentleman  who  was  altogether  for 
musick,  having  asked  Quarll  whether  he  had  any 
thing  in  the  praise  thereof,  having  also  his  request 
answered,  he  made  the  rest  of  the  company  crave 
a  song  in  the  commendation  of  what  suited  their 
inclinations ;  some  being  for  a  bottle,  others  for 
roving,  and  others  for  a  country  life. 

Quarll,  being  provided  with  such  songs,  enter- 
tained thein  to  their  desires  till  supper  was  brought 
np ;  which  being  over,  the  company,  which  had 
been  so  well  diverted  with  Quarll's  singing,  ctm- 
sulted  together  to  do  him  service  :  and,  as  he  was 
well  qualified  to  teach,  they  proposed  to  recommend 
him  scholars.  A  gentleman  in  company  havirg  a 
sister  who  intended  to  learn,  he  writes  a  letter  to 
her,  desiring  she  would  make  use  of  no  other 
master ;  which  letter  he  was  to  carry  the  next 
morning  :  and,  as  his  regimewtal  clothes  might  lessen 
her  opinion  of  his  merit,  he  bids  him,  before  he 
goes,  to  call  at  his  lodging,  and  he  would  present 
him  with  a  suit  of  clothes,  which  he  wore  but  part 
of  last  summer,  and  therefore  little  the  worse  for 
wearing.  And,  as  he  wanted  but  a  hat  to  be 
completely  dressed  (having  an  extraordinary  hand- 
some head  of  hair),  another  gentleman  bids  him  call 
on  him  for  one  ;  so  that  he  had  all  that  he  wanted 
to  set  him  out. 

a 


OS  THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT. 

The  gentleman  having  given  him  his  directions 
where  to  go  for  the  things,  and  the  colonel  hiiving 
made  him  a  promise  to  get  him  discharged  out  of 
the  coiiipany  he  did  belong  to  ;  at  least,  to  have 
him  exchanged  into  his  own;  they  every  one  gave 
him  their  crown  apiece  :  so  they  departed,  strictly 
bidding  him  not  to  fail  coining  thither  again  that 
day  seven-night. 

This  unexpected,  but  Incky,  adventure,  like  a 
sudden  surprize,  niiframed  his  reason,  and  makes 
poor  Qiiarli  overlook  tlie  only  obstacle  that  could 
obstruct  his  blooming  happiness.  Thas  transported 
with  seeing  himself  master  of  more  money  than 
ever  he  was  worth  before,  and,  as  he  concluded, 
in  a  fair  prospect  of  advancing  iiimself,  he  now 
hastens  home,  and  dressed  jn  his  guard-clotlies, 
in  which  he  ouj^ht  not  to  be  seen  there  ;  tiiat 
being  a  dress  obnoxious  to  most,  and  more  espe- 
cially to  creditors. 

His  landlady,  who,  till  then,  had  been  made  to 
expect  her  money,  thinking  he  only  waited  the 
ship's  being  discharged,  to  go  another  voyaL'e, 
seeing  him  in  that  hope-killing  dress,  gave  a  shriek, 
as  if  she  liad  seen  the  devil  :  slanders  and  abuses, 
striving  utterance,  croud  in  her  foaming  mouth  and 
like  a  rapid  torrent  which,  running  from  a  large 
extent  into  a  narrow  channel,  swells  and  overflows 
its  banks ;  so  her  passion,  finding  her  mouth  too 
small  a  passage,  breaks  out  through  her  eyes :  thus, 
having  shrieked  and  roared  awhile,  which  occasion- 
ed all  lier  lodgers  to  come  down,  she  charges  poor 
Quarll  with  shoals  of  abuses,  in  the  vilest  and  most 
insulting  terms  the  most  inveterate  malice  can 
express. 

Thus  having  exhausted  her  stock  of  slanders,  her 
tongue  having  uttered  all  the  evil  she  could,  she  set 
her  mLscliievous  hands  to  work  upon  his  wife  ;  who, 
being  come  to  see  the  occasion  of  her  shrieking, 
stood  like  one  berpft  of  her  senses:  so  having  torn 


THB  ENGLISH   HEKMIT.  83 

her  head-cloalhs  off  her  head,  with  words  suitable  to 
the  barbarous  deeds,  she  thrust  them  both  out  of 
doors  ;  which,  though  the  rudest  action  that  could 
denote  the  unmerciTiilness  of  her  intended  revenge, 
was  to  them,  at  that  time,  the  kindest  act  she 
could  perform. 

That  unexpected  treatment  was  no  small  check 
to  Qnarll's  cheerful  disposition  ;  but  having  con- 
sidered that  one  time  or  other  he  must  have  stood 
the  shock,  he  rejoices  that  it  is  over;  and,  being 
free  from  tlie  care  of  gettinsi  lier  paid,  he  has  at 
that  time  nothing  to  think  of  but  to  find  another 
lodging;  wliich  being  then  too  late  to  go  about,  he 
concludes  to  wait  for  morning  at  a  certain  cellar 
at  Charing  Cross,  which  is  open  all  night.  Going 
along,  his  w  ife  mildly  blamed  him  for  his  unadvised 
coming  in  that  dress,  which,  he  might  imagine, 
could  produce  no  better  effect.  To  which  he 
answered,  he  never  could  have  wished  for  better; 
for,  by  her  turning  him  out  of  doors,  she  had  paid 
herself,  which  he  would  have  done  had  he  stayed: 
but  now  he  was  come  away,  being  better  provided, 
and  in  a  better  way,  he  would  have  better  lodg- 
ings :  he  then  told  her  of  the  adventure,  which  much 
rejoiced  her  ;  and  from  that  time  made  her  resolve 
to  forsake  her  former  Way  of  living,  which  mis- 
fortunes only  drove  her  to,  being  not  led  by  evil 
inclination,  as  many  are.  The  morning  being  come, 
whilst  she  went  to  seek  her  lodging,  he  went  for 
the  clothes  he  was  promised  the  evening  before, 
which  fitted  him  as  if  made  on  purpose,  and  made 
him  appear  as  one  of  the  genteel  employment  he 
was  recommended  for.  Being  newly  shaved  and 
powdered,  he  went  with  the  letter,  according  to 
order;  and  was  received  suitably  to  the  recommen 
dation  given  him.  The  lady  being  just  up,  made 
him  drink  chocolate  with  her;  then, having  required 
a  song,  she  agrees  with  him  for  a  guinea  a  month, 
the  usual  rate,  and  gives  him  a  guinea  at  entrance, 

G  2 


84  THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT. 

as  it  is  common ;  and  so  began  that  very  morning, 
jtromising  to  recommend  him  to  a  lady,  who  had 
two  daughters;  which  she  accordingly  did,  and 
sent  him  thither  the  next  time  he  came. 

This  fair  prospect  of  a  handsome  and  genteel 
living,  which  he  always  was  desirous  of,  made  him 
forget  his  past  misfortunes.  Thus  joyfully  he  returns 
to  the  cellar,  where  he  had  spent  the  night  before, 
and  where  he  had  appointed  to  meet  his  wife,  after 
she  had  fixed  upon  a  lodging;  who  accordingly 
came  in  less  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  hoping  she 
had  pleased  her  husband,  which  she  resolved  for 
the  future  to  endeavour.  She  sat  down,  expecting 
his  coming,  not  knowing  he  had  already  waited 
hers;  his  change  of  dress  concealing  liim  from  her, 
not  expecting  to  see  him  in  so  different  a  garb  from 
that  which  she  left  him  in  :  which  he  perceiving, 
comes  up  to  her,  and  takes  her  by  the  hand,  going 
to  ask  her  the  success  of  her  walk  ;  but  she  putting 
it  out  of  his  power,  in  an  angry  manner  bidding 
him  go  about  his  business,  having  none  with  her, 
prevented  his  speaking.  His  silence,  which  she 
took  to  proceed  from  bashfulness,  occasioned  her 
looking  him  in  the  face;  in  which  discovering  her 
dear  luisband's  features,  to  whose  natural  hand- 
someness his  genteel  clothes  were  no  small  addition, 
she  was  seized  with  such  a  surprize  that  it  struck 
her  speechless  for  some  minute*. 

Quarll,  discerning  her  disorder  by  the  fading  of 
her  fresh  complexion,  was  as  much  surprized  as 
she.  Thus  trembling,  he  takes  her  in  his  arms. 
*'  My  dear,"  said  he,  "  what's  the  matter?  Are  you 
not  well  ?"  Having  recovered  her  speech,  she 
embraced  him  :  saying, 

"  How  can  I  be  ill,  when  my  dear  heart  and 
soul  appears  so  well  1" 

These  kind  words,  and  the  return  of  that  flush 
which  first  kindled  love's  fire  in  his  heart,  enflames 
at  afresh ;    hardly  can  he    govern  his  new-raised 


THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  85 

passion  :  thus,  giving  her  a  kiss,  "  My  love,"  says 
he,  "  have  you  got  me  a  lodging  V 

"  Yes,  my  dear,"  replies  the  loving  vife ;  "  you 
shall  ever  dwell. in  my  iieart." 

"  But  I  want  to  lie  in  your  arms,"  answers  he; 
"  that  can't  be  done  here."         ^ 

"  Well,  then,"  said  she,  "  I  have  provided  a 
fit  place."  So,  having  each  of  them  taken  a  dram, 
they  went  away. 

Sally,  who  till  then  was  a  stranger  to  real  love, 
now  feels  its  true  smart ;  and  though  she  has  for 
some  time  enjoyed  the  fruition,  the  only  bliss  pains- 
taking lovers  aspire  at  for  the  reward  of  all  their 
toils  and  labours,  and  the  happy  shore  love's 
compass  points  at,  yet  she  seems  uneasy,  as  ex- 
pecting something  more  :  she  cavils  with  time  for 
flying  too  fast.  Whole  days  and  nights  are  too 
short  for  lier  to  behold  her  dear.  She  continually 
bears  his  image  in  her  heart,  and  wishes  she  could 
for  ever  have  him  in  her  arms ;  which  from  that 
time  she  consecrates  to  chaste  embraces  ;  devoting 
herself  wholly  to  the  diligent  and  assiduous  practice 
of  the  necessary  qualifications  in  a  ^^  ife,  to  render 
a  husband  truly  happy  ;,  the  execution  of  which 
wise  and  virtuous  resolutions  gained  her  the  ten- 
derest  and  most  sincere  love  and  artection  a  really 
fond  husband  can  skew  or  express  to  a  darling 
wife. 

They  lived  in  that  truly  happy  state  about  half  a 
year;  at  the  end  of  which,  cruel  fate,  envious  of 
his  uncommon  happiness,  most  barbarously  robs 
him  of  it,  almost  as  soon  as  he  had  favoured  its 
incomparable  and  matchless  sweets. 

One  summer  morning,  loving  and  truly  observing 
Sally,  knowing  her  husband  delighted  in  flowers 
and  greens,  went  to  Covent  Garden,  in  order  to 
buy  some  to  garnish  her  windows  and  chimr.ey, 
being  the  only  things  wanting  to  complete  the 
neatness   of   her  lodging,  which   she   keplt  in  the 


86  THE  ENGLISH  HEKMIT. 

greatest  order.  As  she  was  going,  the  most  nn- 
fortunately  met  with  the  perjurert  knittht,  who  de- 
ceived her  out  of  her  virtue,  and  with  \\hom  she 
had  lived  f(jr  a  considerable  time,  in  expectation  of 
his  fulfilling  the  promise  he  made  her  when  she 
put  him  in  possession  of  her  maiden-treasure  ;  who, 
being  glutted  with  his  sacrilegious  theft,  most  basely 
and  ungratefully  left  her  destitute.  Fain  would  she 
have  shunned  the  fatal  principle  and  origin  of  her 
part  misfortunes  and  hellish  motive  of  her  late  evil 
life,  which  she  mortally  abhorred,  and  zealously 
renounced  :  but  inexorable  fate  has  decreed  her 
ruin  ;  she  can  no  wise  avoid  him  ;  he  was  too  near 
before  she  perceived  that  he  had  hold  of  her  hand 
ere  she  could  shift  it  out  of  his  way. 

Being  thus  suddenly  stopped  by  him,  she  would 
have  embraced  the  severest  death,  to  avoid  the  vile 
seducer  by  whom  her  innocence  was  first  betrayed. 
The  irreconcileable  antipathy  she  had  conceived 
for  the  mortal  enemy  of  lier  newly  retrieved  virtue 
being  startled  at  his  terrifying  appearance,  set  her 
whole  faculty  in  an  uproar,  and  scares  away  her 
senses;  not  >o  much  as  a  word  being  left  her. 

The  amorous  knight,  whose  late  love  for  the  fair 
Sally  (whose  regular  living  had  repaired  those 
charms  her  former  lewd  life  had  very  much 
damaged)  was  revived,  and  grown  more  passionate 
than  ever,  flattering  his  hopes  ^^itll  the  thoughts 
that  her  present  disorder  proceeded  from  joy  and 
surprize,  took  the  opportunity  of  an  empty  hackney- 
coach  which  was  going  by,  to  bring  her  to  his 
lodgings  :  so  having  stopped  it,  he  puts  in  the  poor 
dispirited  woman,  altogether  insensible  of  what  was 
done,  or  designed  ;  but  having,  with  tiie  shaking  of 
the  coach,  recovered  a  little  spirit,  and  finding  her- 
self so  much  in  his  power,  as  aimerl  at  her  total 
ruin,  she  gave  a  loud  shriek,  which  occasioned  the 
coach  to  be  stopped  by  some  people  who  were 
^oing  by  ;  but  his  protesting  he  had  no  other  design 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  87 

but  to  take  her  to  a  friend's  house  till  she  was  en- 
tirely recovered,  representing  also  the  danger  o 
exposing  herself  by  opposing  his  kind  intention, 
being  then  near  a  street  where  he  and  she  had  lived 
together  a  considerable  time,  in  some  measure  paci- 
fied her  :  so,  having  pnt  his  head  out  of  the  coach, 
lie  tells  the  people  who  stood  by  that  his  wife,  who 
had  been  lately  overset,  was  afiaid  of  the  like  acci 
dent,  which  made  her  scream,  so  bid  the  coachma/i 
drive  on  ;  during  which  time  he  entertains  her  with 
all  the  marks  of  a  passionate  love,  swearing,  over- 
and-over,  he  was  her  slave  for  ever ;  and  tliat  now 
kind  fortune  once  more  brought  them  together, 
none  but  death  should  sever  him  from  the  person 
he  loved  so  dearly  ;  and  that  he  would  expire  in  those 
soft  arms  which  often  gave  him  life. 

These  fond  expressions,  which  she  formerly  had 
given  credit  to,  are  now  upbraidings  and  reproaches 
for  her  too  easy  credulity,  and  only  increased  her 
hatred  for  the  deluder;  which,  at  that  time  she 
thought  proper  to  conceal :  thus,  restraining  her 
passion,  she  assumes  a  feigned  calmness,  and  mildly 
returns  him  thanks  for  his  love,  which  she  cannot 
indulge,  being  married.  "  Married  !"  said  he,  "  and 
I  living  !    Was  you  not  mine  1" 

"  I  was  indeed,"  replied  she,  blushing  with  anger 
and  shame.  "  Eut  what  was  I  ?  I  tremble  to 
think  on't." 

"  Why,"  saia  ^e,  "  my  love  and  heart's  delight, 
and  shall  be,  whilst  breath  keeps  it  in  motion." 

"  Oh,  false  man  I"  said  she,  weeping  most  bit- 
terly, "  repeat  not  those  deluding  words,  which  be- 
trayed my  virtue." 

"  Come,"  said  he,  "  cease  that  flood  which  over- 
flows my  soul  with  the  bitterest  of  sorrows,  and 
reprieve  the  most  penitent  of  men  from  the  cruellest 
of  deaths  :  my  submissive  observance  of  your  incli- 
nations shall  henceforth  atone  for  all  past  given 
displeasures." 


88  TUE  ENGLISH    HERMIT. 

"  Mean  you,"  said  she,  "  as  you  speak  ?" 

"  By  all  that's  sacred,  I  do,"  replied  he. 

"  Then,"  said  Sally,  joyfully,"  set  me  down  here, 
and  I'll  forgive  what's  past." 

"  No,  my  dear,  this  being  a  request  I  cannot  in 
honour  grant,  I  may,  without  breach  of  promise,  re 
fuse;  I  must  see  you  quite  re-established  first." 

By  this  time  the  coach  was  arrived  to  the  directed 

Clace,  which  proved  to  be  a  house  where  she  liad 
ist  lived  with  the  knisjht,  which  being  open,  and 
the  landlady  at  the  door,  obliged  her  to  go  in  with- 
out resistance,  feaiing  it  would  be  of  no  use,  but 
rather  prejudicial  to  her  design  :  so  she  quietly 
went  in,  hoping  she  should  have  a  better  opportu- 
nity to  get  away,  after  she  had  made  the  landlady 
understand  that  she  was  married.  But  the  sordid 
wretch,  hoping  the  knight  woulillodge  there  again, 
who  proved  an  extraordinarily  beneficial  lodger 
before,  went  out  of  the  room,  and  left  her  to  his 
pleasure. 

Poor  Sally,  seeing  herself  at  the  point  of  being  a 
second  time  undone,  there  being  no  one  to  assist 
her  within,  nor  hopes  of  any  help  from  abroad,  the 
room  she  was  in  being  backwards,  next  to  large 
gardens,  and  distant  from  the  house,  and  therefore 
out  of  hearing,  gives  herself  up  to  despair,  sought 
the  opportunity  of  laying  hold  of  his  sword,  on 
which  she  was  resolved  to  fall,  rather  than  yield  to 
his  adulterous  desires.  Thus,  whilst  the  knight  was 
labouring  to  express  the  height  of  his  love,  by  the 
most  endearing  terms  and  prevailing  words  the 
most  passionate  lover  could  invent,  she,  of  a  sudden 
snatched  the  sword  from  his  side,  and  turned  the 
point  thereof  towards  her  breast,  in  order  to  execute 
her  barbarous,  though  virtuous,  resolution.  "  What 
do  you  mean  ?"  said  he,  laying  hold  of  her  arm. 

"  To  get  myself  at  liberty,"  said  she,  "  which  yon 
basely  refuse:"  so  falls  into  a  violent  fit,  which 
lasted  some  minutes  ;  which  was   no   sooner  over 


THE  ENGLISH   HEKMIT.  89 

but  it  was  succeeded  by  another,  and  so  on  for  the 
space  of  three  hours  ;  at  the  end  of  which  time  she 
was  so  faint  and  weak  that  her  life  was  despaired 
of,  and  so  continued  all  day  ;  which  made  tlie  knight 
repent  that  he  had  forced  her  to  stay,  so  much 
against  her  will,  heartily  wishing  that  he  knew 
Avhere  she  lived,  that  he  might  send  her  home  ; 
which  she  not  being  well  enough  to  tell,  the  land- 
lady, by  the  knight's  order,  got  the  best  room  of  the 
house  fitted  up  for  her;  and,  the  bed  being  warmed, 
she  was  carefully  laid  ii)  it,  and  a  doctor  sent  for  ; 
who,  having  felt  her  disordered  pulse,  said  her  in 
disposition  proceeded  from  passion  and  grief,  and 
ordered  that  she  should  be  let  blood,  which  would 
give  her  oppressed  spirits  a  present  relief.  The 
physician  was  no  sooner  gone  but  the  surgeon  was 
sent  for  to  perform  the  doctor's  orders,  which  gave 
her  immediate  ease,  and  in  a  little  time  caused  her 
to  sleep,  which  lasted  all  the  niglit. 

This  great  and  sudden  amendment  much  rejoiced 
the  most  afflicted  knight,  who  made  a  vow  not  to 
leave  her  till  she  was  restored  to  her  wonted  health; 
sitting  up  by  her  all  night. 

The  next  morning,  Sallv,  whose  good  night's  rest 
had  in  a  great  measure  recoveied  both  strength  and 
reason,  finding  herself  in  a  strange  bed,  and  from 
her  husband,  was  again  seized  with  surprise,  which 
did  much  threaten  a  relapse.  "  Hea\tns  !"  said 
she,  "  by  what  enchantments  am  I  here  ?  What 
fiends  could  ravish  me  out  of  my  dear  spouse's 
arms  '?"  Then,  seeing  the  knight  stand  by  the  bed- 
side, she  gives  a  loud  shriek.  "  Oh!  vile  ravisher  !" 
said  she,  "  is  it  then  by  another  of  your  hellish 
stratagems  that  I  am  again  betrayed  into  your 
power?"  at  which  she  fell  into  a  violent  fit  of 
crying. 

"  No,  most  virtuous  woman,"  replied  the  knight, 
falling  on  his  knees  ;  "  it  is  by  accident,  of  which 
I  own  myselA  to  be  the   most  miserable   cjcasicn  ; 


90  THE  Iw^fLISH  HERMIT. 

for  which  I  heartily  ask  both  Heaven  and  your 
pardon."  Then  he  relates  the  whole  matter,  which 
the  late  illness  her  excessive  grief  and  passion 
brought  upon  her  had  made  her  forget. 

That  woeful  relation  did  but  add  to  her  trouble, 
by  heightening  her  grief.  "  Oh  !"  said  she,  with  a 
fresh  shower  of  tears,  "  how  can  I  look  my  dear 
husband  in  the  face,  when  my  very  justification 
turns  to  my  shame  ?" 

The  knight,  who  was  in  as  great  a  consternation 
as  she  could  be  in,  takes  her  hand,  which  lay  motion- 
less out  of  the  bed,  and,  bathing  it  with  tears,  begs 
her  to  forbear  terrifying  his  most  penitent  soul, 
promising  to  rectify  all  past  wrongs.  "  You  re- 
member, my  life,"  said  he,  "  the  vows  I  made  when 
first  y<ju  gave  yourself  to  me  :  I  renew  them  now, 
and  woidd  fulld  them,  but  that  it  would  expose  you 
to  the  rigour  of  the  law  :  therefore,  I'll  only,  for  the 
present,  settle  five  hundred  poimds  a  year  upon  you 
for  your  life,  till,  by  your  husband's  death,  I  am 
empowered  to  make  you  lawful  mistress  of  all  my 
estate.  Pray  compose  yourself,  and  sedately  con- 
sider on't,  and  when  'tis  come  to  a  conclusion,  I'll 
attend  for  your  answer."    So  withdrew  for  a  while. 

This  generous  otfer,  expressing  the  sincerity  of 
his  love,  for  whom  she  had  formerly  more  than  a 
common  esteem,  in  a  great  measure  appeased  her 
passion  ;  the  ottered  atonement  disarms  her  revenge; 
she  now  pleads  for  him  she  had  condemned,  and 
blames  herself  for  the  crime  she  had  charged  him 
with.  "  How  could  I,"  said  she,  "  think  my  virtue 
safe  in  his  hands,  on  whom  love  has  such  an  as- 
cendant (which  is  itself  guilty  of  as  many  faults  as 
it  covers)  ?  If  he  went  away  with  my  heart,  it  was 
but  a  breach  of  trust :  besides,  his  absence  was  no 
flight,  it  being  occasioned  by  business." 

Having  made  these  reconcileable  reflections,  and 
being  at  the  point  of  accepting  his  offer,  conscience 
starts,   and  opposes  her    resolution  :  her    husband 


THE  ENCl-lSH  HER-am  91 

Stands  in  the  way,  riga;ed  in  all  those  enjcaging  qua 
lificaiions  which  had  won  her  aliection.  This  coming 
into  her  mind,  in  a  manner  scares  asvay  her  rea- 
son ;  she  cannot  lielp  loving  both  :  her  love  for  the 
knijiht  pleads  seniority,  and  that  for  her  husband 
justice.  The  fust  is  attended  with  interest,  the  last 
IS  prompted  by  virtue.  The  debate  is  great,  and 
both  their  argimients  strong.  Reason  is  called  to 
decide  the  matter,  which  having  (as  it  is  her  cus- 
tom) sedately  weighed  the  cause,  examined  both 
accidents  and  incidents,  at  last  seems  inclineable  to 
favour  the  love  for  the  knight ;  but  Justice,  who  is 
always  in  the  right,  w  ill  not  resign  it :  Peace  and 
Content,  the  only  motives  worth  contending  for, 
must  be  consulted.  They  being  also  cautious  of 
giving  a  rash  verdict,  examined  on  which  side  they 
were  in  most  safety;  and  finding  themselves  most 
screened  from  upbraidines  and  reproaches  (their 
mortal  enemies)  for  the  knight,  gave  it  of  his  side. 
So  Justice,  who  seldom  gets  its  due,  is  forced  to 
drop  the  cause,  and  tacitly  withdraw. 

The  knight's  otfer,  being  the  softest  choice  for  an 
easy  and  quiet  life,  which  she  could  not  reasonably 
expect  from  her  husband,  who  doubtless  would, 
from  the  late  accident,  conceive  an  ill  opinion  of 
h«r  virtue  (which,  although  at  that  time  blame- 
less, she  could  not  with  modesty  vindicate),  hav- 
ing sent  for  the  knight,  she  speaks  to  him  after  this 
manner  : 

"  I  have  had  so  much  reason  to  repent  my  being 
too  credulous,  by  the  many  vexations  it  has  occa- 
sioned me  now,  that  should  I,  upon  the  bare  re- 
peating of  broken  promises,  expose  myself  to  the 
same,  you  yourself  could  not  but  blame  me." 

"  Indeed,  dear  Sally,"  said  the  knight,  interrupt- 
ing her,  "  I  own  you  have  sufficient  cause  to  ques- 
tion my  sincerity  ;  but  I  will  this  moment  remove 
t."  So  he  that  moment  sends  for  a  lawyer,  and  makes 
the  proposed  settlement ;  then  gives   orders  that  a 


9Z  THE  EWGUSH  HERMIT. 

mercer  should  be  fetched  for  her,  to  take  her  choice 
of  the  most  modiih  silks,  and  then  for  a  silk  night- 
gown, for  her  to  wear  till  her. clothes  were  made: 
as  also  for  all  manner  of  linen,  shoes,  and  stockings. 
Then,  having  new  rigged  her  from  top  .to  toe — 
"  Now,"  said  he,  "  my  dear,  you  are  entirely  mine ; 
give  me  directions  that  I  may  send  your  husband 
what  he  can  challenge  as  his  own  :"  so  he  writes 
the  following  letter : 
"  Sir, 
"  Lest  tlie  absence  of  her  who  nntbiiifcingly  gave  herself  to 
Toil  for  a  wife  (ihouich  not  at  her  own  disposal,  being  mine 
before)  shiiuld  cause  you  any  further  trouble,  these  are  to 
Satisfy  you  that  I  have  letaken  possession  of  my  own  ;  to 
send  vou  back  her  clothes,  as  being  all  you  can  claim  a  right 
to.     i  am  yours, 

R.  S." 

Having  sealed  np  the  letter,  and  bundled  np  the 
clothes,  a  porter  was  called,  to  whom  oiders  were 
given  to  carry  the  bundle  and  leiter  to  the  most 
perplexed  and  concerned  Quarll,  who  had  spent  the 
ni5;ht  in  unspeakable  torment.  A  thousand  dismal 
accidents  glared  at  his  alarmed  fancy,  w  hich  created 
new  racks  for  his  tortured  soul.  He  tumbles  on  his 
bed  like  an  unmasted  ship  tossed  about  by  a  violent 
storm,  cursing  the  tedious  hours  for  creeping  thus 
in  the  dark  night ;  taxing  tke  sun  with  sloth,  and 
nature  with  unkindness.  Thus,  like  one  bereft  of 
his  senses,  and  quite  void  of  reason,  he  snarls  at 
the  wbole  creation. 

At  length,  the  long  wished-for  day  having  sent 
forth  its  dawn,  to  proclaim  its  approach,  he  starts 
from  olf  the  bed  wliereon  he  lay  as  if  upon  thorns, 
and,  like  a  madman,  runs  about  to  inform  himself  of 
what  he  dreads,  more  than  death,  to  know.  But 
having  spent  several  hours  in  diligent  enquiry  after 
lately  befallen  accidents,  without  hearing  of  any, 
jealousy  creeps  in,  which  in  some  measure  re- 
moves his  former  fears,  but  no  wise  lessens  his 
pains.  T'lus  he  returns  home  as  much  racked  as 
before. 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  93 

Being  arrived,  he  finds  on  his  table  a  bundle  anri 
a  letter,  wliich  his  landlady  told  him  were  brought 
by  a  porter.  His  impatience  to  know  the  contents 
of  both  were  equal  ;  but  the  bundle  being  more 
surprising  to  him,  he  precipitately  opens  it  first; 
which  finding  it  to  be  every  individual  part  of  the 
clothes  his  wife  had  on  the  day  before,  when  she 
went  out  ;  with  the  surprise,  he  lets  it  drop  out  of 
his  hands,  and,  like  one  thunderstruck,  remained 
speechless  for  several  minutes.  Then  fetching  a  deep 
and  heavy  sigh,  attended  with  a  shower  of  tears,  he 
bitterly  exclaims  against  himself  for  questioning  the 
faithfulness  of  that  love  of  which  he  now  has  such 
fatal  proofs. 

Thus,  concluding  she  had  drowned  herself,  and 
that  the  letter  would  inform  him  of  the  cause  thereof, 
he  takes  it  up,  saying — "  O  that  thou  hadst  been  a 
timely  forerunner  of  the  fatal  tidings  thou  art  bearer 
of!  ifet,  for  her  dear  sake  that  wrote  it,  I'll  peruse 
thee,  though  thy  contents  be  but  racks  for  me,  and 
the  most  cruel  tortures  that  ever  were  or  can  be 
invented." 

But  great  was  his  surprize  when  he  found  it  to 
come  from  a  man ;  and  inexpressible  his  confusion 
at  the  contents :  his  senses  are  all  in  an  uproar,  he 
blames  his  eyes  for  not  seeing  <>ght,  his  apprehen- 
sion for  mistaking  the  meaning; :  his  blind  lo\^ 
taxes  his  reason  with  rashness,  the  mistaken  ex-  • 
pressions  being  but  illusions  pr»jceeding  from  an. 
oppression  upon  the  intellects;  s'l  belays  down  the 
letter  till  his  disturbed  mind  wa«  better  settled  :  yet 
he  cannot  be  easy;  he  must  witb  come  other  writing 
try  whether  his  eyes  are  still  d^^fective  ;  on  wiiich, 
finding  no  fault,  he  hastily  takes  >^p  the  letter  again, 
but  alas  !  it  was  the  same  as  before.  "  My  judg- 
ment," said  he,  "  has  been  as  mi»vh  wronged  as  my 
love."  So,  alter  a  few  considerations,  calling  to 
mind  that,  as  an  accident  had  procured  her  to  him, 
he    ought,  without    reluctancy     t  >    surrender    her 


94  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

again  ;  having  made  a  resolution  never  to  venture 
any  more  on  that  uncertain  state  which  commonly 
promises  happiness,  but  often  brings  sorrow ;  he 
shifts  his  lodging,  and  goes  to  live  where  be  is  un- 
known, the  better  to  pass  for  a  bachelor ;  in  which 
free  station  he  enjoyed  peace  undisturbed,  and  plea- 
sures uncontrolled,  for  the  space  of  twelve  months. 
But  cross  fate  still  pursues  him ;  he  must  again  be 
fettered,  and  bear  yet  heavier  chains  than  before. 
A  second  mate  is  allotfetl  him,  who,  though  very 
;ha.ste,  dooms  him  wretched,  being  short  of  otiier 
qualifications  necessary  in  a  wife  to  make  a  man 
happy. 

This  woman  had  been  bred  up  from  her  infancy 
under  the  care  of  the  lady,  whose  two  daughters 
Quarll  taught  to  sing,  and  had  lived  with  her  in  the 
station  of  chamber-maid,  ever  since  she  was  big 
enough  to  otficiate  in  that  place  ;  during  which  time, 
having  behaved  herself  to  her  mistress's  content, 
she  gained  her  affection ;  so  that  tliis  good  hidy, 
being  desirous  to  advance  her  maid,  whose  age  fitted 
her  tor  marriage,  the  chief  settlement  for  a  woman, 
she  cast  her  eyes  upon  iter  daughters'  singing-mas- 
ter, who  she  thought  would  make  her  a  good  hus- 
band, having  observed  him,  ever  since  he  came  to 
her  house, 'to  carry  and  behave  himself  very  de- 
cently. Tlius  having  declared  her  mind  to  her,  who 
had  already  a  great  inclination  that  way,  she  readily 
submitted  to  her  lady's  will,  who  promised  to  bring 
it  about. 

The  good  lady,  having  conceived  the  principal 
means  to  bring  her  design  about;  took  the  opportu- 
nity of  Quarll  s  next  coming  to  propose  it  to  him, 
promising  to  make  her  worth  three  hundred  pounds, 
•which  was  the  only  motive  that  could  engage  him 
to  break  the  resolution  he  had  made.  The  young 
woman  being  also  very  agreeable  in  her  person,  and 
extraoidinarily  obliging  to  him,  he  readily  accepted 
thecfftr. 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT,  95 

The  old  lady,  having  so  far  prevailed  upon  him 
is  resolved  to  push  on  tiU  quite  concluded  ;  so  has 
them  married  in  less  than  a  week,  and  gave  them 
lodgings  in  her  house,  where  they  continued  but  one 
monili.  The  new-married  wife,  thinking  herself  in 
some  measure  under  confinement,  wliilst  in  the  good 
lady's  house,  to  whom  duty  and  gratitude  obliged 
her  to  be  more  than  indifferently  observing,  being 
somewhat  ambitious  of  living  great,  persuades  her 
husband  to  take  a  house,  and  furnish  it ;  which  be- 
ing done  according  to  her  desire,  they  went  away 
from  the  kind  old  lady  to  live  by  themselves,  with- 
out considering  the  expense  of  housekeeping,  which 
they  both  till  tlien  had  been  strangers  to,  but  in  a 
little  time  became  too  well  acquainted  with. 

The  tliree  hundred  pounds  being  gone  in  furnish- 
ing  the  house  and  paying  two  years'  rent,  and  as 
many  years'  wages  to  a  couple  of  maids,  one  where- 
of she  kept  in  the  station  she  herself  had  but  lately 
overcome,  Quarll  was  obliged  to  reduce  his  charges, 
and  level  liis  expenses  to  his  income  ;  so  he  discharges 
the  superfluous  servant,  whose  business  was  only  to 
indulge  her  indolence,  and  increase  her  pride. 

That  sudden  lessening  of  her  attendants  checked 
her  ambitious  disposition  in  such  a  manner  that  i 
threw  her  into  the  spleen  ;  which  was  like  to  have 
cost  him  more  money  in  doctors  than  the  servant's 
wages  which  he  endeavoured  to  save. 

Being  taken  very  ill,  and  knowing  not  what  to 
complain  of,  a  doctor  was  granted  at  her  importu 
nity,  rather  than  her  need  ;  who,  being  come,  and 
finding  her  indisposition  lie  in  her  temper,  more 
than  a  defect  of  nature,  ordered  her  medicines  >o 
make  them  both  in  the  same  condition. 

Her  strength  decaying,  and  the  apothecary's  bill 
increasing,  which  are  the  usual  etfects  of  imjiginary 
illness,  made  her  husband  apprehensive  that  con 
siderable  charges  might  accrue  from  her  lanciful 
and  imaginary  distemper,  which   he  would  not  iu- 


yo  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

dulge ;  and  feared  to  check  too  suddenly,  lest  it 
might  produce  some  other  ill  effect ;  so,  in  compli- 
ance to  her  natural  pride,  he  promises  her  going  in 
the  country,  as  being  a  proper  expedient  to  save  his 
money,  and  to  be  rid  of  a  grunting  companion,  at 
least  during  the  summer. 

This  proposal,  suiting  hpr  ambition  to  imiXate 
quality  (who,  for  the  generality,  go  out  of  town 
about  that  time  of  the  year),  was  soon  accepted  of; 
and  that  opportunity  of  being  freed  from  one  of  tlie 
greatest  plagues  which  can  befal  a  man,  by  him  as 
soon  approved. 

Qnarll,  having  got  her  in  the  mind,  was  no  wise 
dilatory  to  get  it  performed  ;  but  made  diligent  en- 
quiry about  the  most  convenient  place  in  the  conn- 
try,  for  remoteness  and  cheapness ;  which  being 
informed  of,  he  forthwith  takes  horse,  and  having 
found  a  good  old  countryman,  with  his  wife  anfl 
daughter,  in  Yorkshire,  whose  diligent  cares,  and 
.frugal  living,  while  young  and  strong,  had  been  re- 
warded with  a  moderate  competence,  to  keep  him 
from  toiling  when  grown  old  ;  who,  having  a  pleasant 
and  commodious  habitation,  distant  from  meddling 
and  inspecting  neighbours,  and  room  to  spare,  were 
very  glad  to  take  in  a  gentlewoman  to  boar'l,  being 
some  company  for  them  in  their  remote  living,  and 
therefore  stood  upon  no  rate:  which  suiting  Quarll's 
circumstances  and  wishes,  he  began  to  consult  on 
means  to  keep  his  wife  there  for  a  constancy ;  and 
as  he  well  knew  she  never  would  consent,  nor  he 
be  able  to  force  her  to  it,  by  violence,  he  applies  to 
stratagems.  Thus,  having  given  her  the  best  cha- 
racter he  could  to  the  old  people  for  good  humour, 
he  tells  them  that  indeed  she  had  one  failing,  but 
that  it  was  no  wise  troublesome,  provided  one  gave 
her  her  way  :  she  is  very  vapourish,  and  looks  for 
great  attendance.  "  O  dear !  that's  quality  dis- 
temper. Well,  if  that  be  all,"  replied  the  old'folks, 
"  she  shall  not  want  for  any  one  thing." 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  OT 

"  More,"  said  he,  "  I  must  caution  you  of,  which 
is  this :  she  will  be  soon  be  tired  of  her  lodging, 
and  will  be  for  returning  to  London  ;  so  will  seek 
all  opportunities  to  steal  away,  if  she  finds  herself 
opposed  in  her  desires  :  tlierefore  it  is  best  not  to 
contradict  her  directly,  but  be  sure  watch  her  nar- 
rowly, lest  she  give  you  the  slip." 

"  Never  fear,"  replied  the  good  people  ;  "  we 
will  take  care  of  that :  she  never  shall  go  one  step 
alone.  She  is  not  apt  to  lay  violent  hands  upon 
herself,  and  do  herself  a  mischief?" 

*'  No,  no,"  replied  he,  "  there  is  no  danger  of 
that;  you  may  trust  her  alone  within  doors  at  any 
time,  but  never  abroad.  One  thing  more  I  must 
give  you  notice  of,  that  is,  when  she  finds  she 
cannot  get  away,  she  will  be  for  sending  letters: 
I  charge  you,  let  her  have  no  paper,  only  at  first ; 
to  write  to  me  once,  or  twice,  or  so  ;  and  that  you 
will  guess  when  proper,  by  her  railing,  which  will 
be  a  token  of  her  being  discomposed  :  and  as  for 
her  diet,  she  is  something  dainty  ;  but  I  see  you 
have  plenty  of  poultry,  which  she  loves  very 
well." 

"  O  dear  Sir,"  answered  the  old  woman,  "she 
shall  have  fish,  flesh  and  fowl,  when  she  pleases. 
We  have  a  fine  pond  in  the  ground,  well  stocked 
with  fish  ;  and  cocks  and  hens  enough,  you  see, 
about  the  yard  ;  and  for  butcher's  meat,  it  is  but 
"a  two  or  three  hours'  ride  to  the  next  town." 

So  Quarll  having  agreed,  and  paid  one  quarter 
before  hand,  which  he  promised  to  do  wh'lst  she 
boarded  there,  he  returns  to  London,  in  order  to 
fetch  his  wife  ;  who  having  projected  a  greatness 
of  living  in  the  country,  ^^hich  she  was  disappointed 
of  in  town,  immediately  inquired  into  the  appear- 
ance of  the  house,  the  handsomeness  of  the  lodg- 
ings, and  the  gentility  of  the  neighbours  :  to  which 
questions  Quarll  took  care  to  answer  suitable  to  her 
inclination.     So,  having   concludied  to   go  the  next 

H 


06  THE  E\OLISH  HERMIT. 

^ay,  theywent  out  to  make  provision  of  such  thing* 
as  .cannot  well  be  had  in  the  country;  as  Nantz 
brandy,  ratafia,  iisqntbangh,  cottee,  chocolate,  and 
inch  things  as  were  necessary  for  genteel  company. 

Being  provided  for  everj'  thing,  they  set  out  the 
aext  day  ;  but,  as  neither  lodgings,  liouse,  nor  neigh 
JO'irhood,  an3\vere(i  iier  ambition,  or  his  commen- 
dations, he  contrived  to  arrive  in  the  night,  that  she 
might  not  find  the  deceit ;  and,  as  the  good  people 
of  the  house,  according  to  direction,  shewed  her 
abundance  of  respect,  giving  her  the  title  of  lady, 
and  a  good  supper  being  prepared,  she  itKjiiired  no 
further  into  the  matter.  The  next  morning,  Quarll 
having  represented  to  his  sponse  it  would  be  of 
prejudice  to  him  if  he  stayed  any  longer  from  his 
scholars,  having  already  lost  six  days,  took  his 
leave  of  her,  and  left  her  in  bed,  it  not  being  her 
nsual  time  to  rise :  so,  having  promised  to  be  with 
her  in  a  short  tin)e,  to  see  how  she  liked  her  lodg- 
ings, he  returned  to  London,  having  first  renewed 
his  charge  to  the  good  people  of  the  house,  of  giving 
her  her  humour  ;  and,  above  all,  not  to  let  her  go 
out  alone,  nor  consent  to  her  coming  up  to  London  ; 
■which,  in  a  little  time,  he  questioned  not  but  she 
vould  be  very  desirous  of. 

Quaill  being  gone,  the  old  people,  according  to 
their  charge,  were  extraordinarily  diligent  and  care- 
ful in  plea'ing  their  new  lodger;  who,  finding  her 
ambition  gratified  by  their  observance,  kept  in  that 
day :  but  the  next  morning,  having  a  fancy  to  walk 
out,  the  young  woman  of  the  house  took  her  to  see 
the  ground  and  cattle  which  belonged  to  them,  as 
being  the  principal  things  she  could  shew  her;  there 
being  neither  house  nor  habitation,  but  their  own 
little  cottage,  within  sight.  She,  who  thought  her 
lodgings  to  be  in  a  handsome  and  creditable  house, 
near  a  genteel  neighbourhood,  with  whom  she 
miglit  converse,  finding  the  reverse  of  her  expecta- 
tions, could   not  conceal  her  passion   at  the  disap- 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  SRj 

pointment;  hnt  falls  a  railing  against  her  hnsband 
in  such  a  rage  as  frightened  the  poor  young  woman; 
who,  doubting  she  was  going  iiito  one  of  her  fits ; 
ran  home  to  fetch  her  father  and  mother;  who, 
being  come,  were  as  much  frightened  as  their 
daughter,  at  her  furious  countenance,  the  blood 
being  ready  to  start  out  of  her  face,  and  her  eyes 
out  of  her  head.  Thus,  fearing  she  would  grow 
unruly,  each  of  them  took  hold  of  one  of  her  arms, 
and  so  in  a  manner  dragged  her  home  ;  where^ 
being  come,  they  would  have  laid  her  upon  the 
bed  :  but  she,  who  took  tiiis  act  of  their  caution 
for  an  effect  of  their  carefid  attendance,  told  them 
that  indeed  she  could  not  tind  fault  with  them  ;  and 
that  their  habitation  niiglit  suit  their  birth,  but 
really  it  did  not  hers,  which  her  husband  very  well 
knew  ;»,and  therefore  she  never  would  forgive  him 
for  bringing  her  thither,  and  that  he  should  soon 
know :  so  she  desired  them  to  give  her  paper  and 
ink,  if  the  house  could  altbrd  such  a  thing. 

The  good  people,  who  had  been  cautioned  to  give 
her  her  humour  in  that  at  the  beginning,  having  none 
at  home,  sent  the  boy  that  attended  their  sheep  on 
horseback  to  the  next  town  for  thtm ;  then  leaving 
her  to  compose  herself,  they  retired  to  bewail  among 
thenifelves  her  misfortune,  which  they  perceived  to 
be  the  elfect  of  pride,  reflecting  upon  the  happiness 
of  their  own  condition,  and  the  pleasure  of  a  con- 
tented life. 

"  Now,"  said  they,*  "  she  has  been  brought  np  in 
a  city,  where  excess  of  pleasure  and  luxury  aie 
made  the  only  means  to  arrive  at  content ;  but, 
alas  I  how  widely  do  they  miss  their  aim  !  their  lile 

•  N.  B.  The  lines  tnsrked  with  (  "  )  are  set  dow-n  word  for 
word  with  his  Memoirs,  for  these  reasons  :  1.  1  thought 
it  a  pity  to  alter  any  thing:  from  his  notion  of  tl.c  p  ea- 
gures  of  a  country  life.  2.  And  the  rather,  because  it  give* 
ns  very  lively  idea*  of  the  perfect  happiuesi  he  eiijoyg  iii  hi 
■olitude. 


BS 


100  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT 

is  a  continiied  series  of  cares  ;  their  emulation  and 
vanity  in  fa>hi«ns,  entertainments,  and  such  like, 
together  with  their  inseparable  companion,  envy, 
only  contribute  to  make  an  unhappy  life  still  more 
miserable.  Here  this  gentlewoman  wants  for  no 
manner  of  necessaries  to  make  a  life  comfortable, 
but  has  rather  a  superabundancy.  Could  she  reject 
that  horrid  pain-causing  quality  of  pride,  and  learn  a 
little  humility,  it  is  that  brings  content  and  sweetens 
all  the  misfortunes  of  this  life.  How  preferable 
is  our  station  to  hers !  how  solid  is  the  pleasure 
we  enjoy  in  this  solitary  habitation,  compared  to 
the  trifling  joys  the  great  ones  possess  in  the  most 
populous  cities  !  0  happy  fields  and  silent  groves  ! 
■where  nothing  but  eternal  rounds  of  pleasure  centre! 
Here  no  debaucheries,  riotings,  fashions,  and  luxuri- 
ous entertainments  ;  no  envy  of  others'  good  fortune, 
no  drunkenness,  swearing,  and  blaspheming  the 
mercies  of  the  Almighty  God,  ever  take  pl.ice,  as  in 
flourishing  cities  ;  but  Providence  gives  us  all  things 
with  a  bountiful  hand  :  in  short,  we  have  all  we 
desire,  and  more  than  we  justly  deserve.  Here  the 
beauteous  birds,  joj fully  hopping  from  bough  to 
bough,  stretch  their  tuneful  throats,  and  warble  out 
melodious  anthems  to  their  great  Creator's  praise  ; 
whilst  flowery  hills,  in  harmonious  echoes,  repeat 
the  same  to  the  fruitful  neighbouring  vales.  Here  is 
nothing  to  be  seen  or  heard  but  universal  acclama- 
tions of  praise  to  the  great  God  of  all  things.  This 
is  the  real  solid  pleasure;  this  is  what  makes  us  per- 
fectly happy.  For  how  much  more  eligible  is  the 
company  of  'irrational  animals,  or  even  inanimate 
things,  than  the  society  of  men  who  have  divested 
themselves  of  all  things  but  shape,  whereby  to  dis- 
tint^nish  them  from  the  most  deformed  brutes,  or, 
indeed,  from  more  horrible  devils '.  This  gentle- 
woman has  put  us  in  mind  of  our  own  happiness,  of 
which,  before  her  coming,  we  were  almost  ignorant ; 
Lilt  DOW  we  may  see  that  happiness  consists  not  in 


THK  SNOLISH  BERUIT.  101 

riches,  nor  content  in  gaudy  apparel. — But  why  do 
we  tarry  here  ?  It  is  not  proper  to  leave  the  gentle- 
woman so  long  alone,  lest,  in  one  of  her  fits,  she 
should  do  herself  a  mischief :  therefore  let  one  of  us 
go  to  her."  So  the  good  woman  of  the  house  went 
to  her,  and  finding  her  in  tears,  used  all  possible 
endeavours  to  divert  her  melancholy,  but  all  to  no 
purpose;  for  still  she  was  interrupted  by  exclama- 
tions against  "  that  villain  !  that  rogue  !  "  her  hus- 
band. The  good  woman  finding  tliat  words  could 
not  prevail,  thought  a  glass  of  ratafia  might  do  better  ; 
so  desired  her  to  comfort  herself,  and  take  a  glass 
of  her  cordial ;  to  which  she  soon  consented,  and 
after  that  four  or  five  more,  which  had  the  desired 
effect ;  for  her  melancholy  was  by  this  time  turned 
into  most  violent  fits  of  the  spleen,  and  presently 
into  drowsiness.  The  landlady  perceiving  her  con- 
dition, desired  her  to  lie  down  and  refresh  herself  by 
taking  a  little  sleep  :  so,  laying  her  down  upon  her 
bed,  and  watching  her  to  sleep,  she  retired. 

After  she  had  slept  an  hour  or  two,  she  awakes,  in 
a  very  splenetic  humour,  and  calls  to  know  the 
reason  why  pen,  ink,  and  paper  were  lefused  her. 
"  Indeed,"  said  the  old  woman,  "  we  did  not  knov? 
that  your  ladyship  was  awake  :  and  we  did  not  caro 
to  disturb  you  :  but  I  will  bring  it  to  you  presently." 
So  went  and  brought  it.  Whicli  she  no  sooner  re- 
ceived, but  she  began  to  write  the  following  letter  : 
"  Most  barbarou*  of  men, 

"  Was  you  afraid  ihut  my  indisposition  (for  which  yon  ino»t 
deceitfully  did  persuade  me  to  leave  Lomloii)  would"  .*ot  kill 
me  fiuick  enough  itself,  tb:it  you  have  decoyed  me  to  an  oven, 
the  dulnejs  whereof  is  sufficient  to  make  any  well-bred  dog 
pine  itself  to  death  ;  here  not  being  a  rational  creature  to  talk 
to,  but  the  insipid  folks  of  the  hut ;  who,  being  stript  of  their 
clumsy  human  shape,  will  be  as  complete  brutes  as  their 
oxen  and  cows.  Pray  see  that  you  forthwith  fetch  me  hcucc, 
or  expect  to  incur  all  the  resentment  an  injured  wife  c«in 
•hew,  as  soon  as  arrived  to  London,  where  I  shall  surely 
come  in  a  few  days,  though  I  was  to  travel  all  the  way 
barefoot.    Your*,  &c.  "  Mi.aY  Qvahli.." 


102  THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT 

This  letter  being  written,  tte  good  people  of  the 
house  were  in  a  great  consternation  whether  they 
ought  to  send  it  or  not ;  but,  after  gome  consultSr 
tion  about  the  matter,  they  concluded  it  should 
go,  lest  her  husband  should  take  it  amiss. 

Quarll,  who  expected  some  such  letter  from  his 
haughtj'  dame,  as  soon  as  she  had  discovered  the 
cheat,  had,  with  a  great  deal  of  judgment,  pre- 
pared the  following  answer : 

«  My  Dear, 
"If   your   pride  and  vanity  do  outrun  your  reason,  it  is  r.' 
argument  my  compliance  to  them  should  tiasten  my   ruin;    and 
if  you  consul'  your  circumstances,  as  1  do  my  ability,  you  wil 
uot  discommeud 

"  lour  careful  husband, 

"  i^IUP    QCASLU" 

And  with  that,  one  to  her  landlord  and  landlady, 
whom  he  thanked  for  their  care  of  sending  the 
letter ;  but  desired  thej'  would  not  trouble  them- 
selves  with  sending  any  more,  nor  give  her  oppibr- 
tunity  of  writing,  seeing  it  did  but  aggravate  her 
distemper;  and,  above  all  things,  to  Lave  a  par- 
ticular care  she  should  not  give  them  the  slip,  and 
he  would  take  care  to  gratify  them  for  their  trouble. 

This  obliging  letter,  together  with  a  pair  of  hand- 
some green  stockings,  and  lemon-colour  gloves  to 
the  daughter,  did  so  win  the  old  folks'  affection  that 
they  were  extremely  punctual  in  observing  his 
orders  :  but  that  to  his  wife  had  quite  a  different 
success;  for,  instead  of  putting  her  into  consider- 
ation, it  set  her  into  such  a  violent  rage  as  would 
scarce  permit  her  to  read  it  throughout :  so,  tearing 
it  to  pieces,  she  stormsout— "Consider  my  circum- 
stances! vile  wretch!  let  him  behold  my  portion, 
whether  it  deserves  me  no  better  a  being  than  a 
hovel !— Landlady,  send  immediately  to  the  town, 
and  get  me  a  place  in  the  stage  against  to-morrow; 
for  I  will  go  and  tear  that  villain  to  pieces." 

The  good  woman  wa,s  not  a  little  displeased  to 


THn  ENGLISH  BERMIT.  103 

hear  her  thus  despise  her  house,  which  was  the  best 
within  a  mile  round  ;  but  as  she  imagined  it  was  the 
cfl'ect  of  her  vapours,  instead  of  viudicatins;  her 
house,  which,  though  old  and  low  built,  was  tole- 
rable large,  and  very  convtnient,  she  seemed  to 
acquiesce  with  her,  wishing  it  had  been  better  for 
her  sake:  but  as  for  sending  to  take  a  place,  it  v.as 
then  too  late  ;  for  by  that  time  i  messenger  could  be 
got  to  town  the  office  would  be  shut  up  ;  so  that  the 
next  time  she  went  out  she  would  take  care  a  place 
should  be  taken:  so  excused  it  for  that  week.  In 
the  mean  time  she  gave  her  her  humour,  being  very- 
respectful  and  observing;  which,  suiting  her  pride, 
made  her  something  more  easy,  and  in  some  mea- 
sure diverted  her  raving  fits  ;  for  she  fully  depended 
upon  going  the  week  following,  but  wa'«  again  dis- 
appointed by  one  mishap  or  other,  and  so  from 
time  to  time,  till  at  last  she  began  to  doubt  of  their 
giving  orders,  meaning  to  keep  her  tliere  :  she  thus 
reswved,  to  go  herself;  but,  not  knowing  ttie  ^^ay, 
she  desired  somebody  might  be  sent  along  with  her; 
which  they  were  ready  to  grant,  but  never  could  be 
had,  being  always  out  of  the  way,  about  some  bui>i- 
uess  or  other. 

Thus  continuing  for  the  space  of  a  month,  or 
more,  and  no  news  coming  from  London,  she  began 
to  think  it  was  a  contrivance  of  her  husband's  to 
be  rid  of  her  with  only  paying  for  her  board  and 
lodging,  which  she  understood  he  had  done  before- 
hand, and  agreed  to  do  so  during  her  stay,  which, 
very  probably,  might  be  for  her  life;  but  she  resolved 
to  disappoint  him  by  privily  stealing  away,  and  at 
a  venture  seek  out  tlie  road  to  the  next  town,  not 
questioning  but  she  should  find  somebody  as  she 
went  that  would  direct  her:  but  the  ohi  folks,  having 
been  warned  of  such  an  enterprize  by  her  husband, 
were  too  vigilant  to  give  her  an  opportunity  of 
attempting  it,  never  leaving  her  by  herself  from  the 
tim«  of  her  getting  up  to  her  going  to  Irer  bed  again  : 


104  THS  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

which  over-attendance  convinced  her  of  her  impri- 
eonment. 

Then  finding  herself  curbed  in  her  ambition,  dis- 
appointed in  her  pride,  and  tricked  out  of  her 
liberty,  without  hopes  of  being  relieved  ;lhe  letters 
she  sent  to  her  friends  being  intercepted  ;  she  falls 
into  a  passion  suitable  to  her  case  and  disposition  ; 
which  having  vented  upon  tiie  people  of  the  house 
for  abetting  and  adhering  to  her  perfidious  husband 
in  so  trailerous  a  deed,  her  spirits  beii.i;  exhausted 
so  prodigiously,  witli  raving,  that  nothing  but  a 
cordial  dram  could  ever  have  brought  theni  to  their 
usual  tone,  and  which  she  by  long  experience  knew, 
calls  for  her  grand  specific ;  and,  after  she  had  drunk 
three  or  four  rcfresliing  glasses,  she  became  more 
easy,  and  retired  to  rest :  when,  having  slept  a  few 
hours,  she  awakes  something  better  composed. 
Thus,  considering  that  all  the  resentment  she  was 
capable  to  shew  could  not  mend  her  condition,  she 
therefore  concluded  to  make  her  landlord  and  land- 
lady her  friends,  that  if  she  did  not  enjoy  her  liberty, 
as  she  proposed,  she  might  at  least  enjoy  a  little 
more  content  in  her  confinement. 

Thus  she  resolved,  and  indeed  kept  her  resolo- 
tion  a  loug  time  ;  laying  aside  her  haughty  temper, 
and  curbing  those  violent  passions  she  had  so  long 
accustomed  herself  to,  she  now  began  to  be  much 
more  familiar  and  conriescending  than  wliat  she  had 
hitherto  shewn,  to  the  great  joy  and  surprise  of  the 
good  people  ;  who  by  this  strange  alteration  were  in 
great  hopes  her  madness  was  wearing  ott;  and,  upon 
that  account,  were  extremely  industrious  to  humour 
iier  in  every  point ;  using  her  with  all  the  good  man- 
ners they  were  capable  of ;  which  she,  easily  per- 
ceiving, thought  to  make  use  of  their  credulity  to 
her  advantage  ;  for  she  was  a  woman  of  quick  pene- 
tration :  and,  finding  how  egregiously  tliose  ignorant 
people  had  been  imposed  upon,  in  relation  to  her 
pbreuzy,  saw  the   only  means  to  regain  her  liberty 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  105 

was  to  pretend  a  recovery.  And,  accordingly,  by  a 
counterfeit  change  of  temper,  she  endeavoured  to 
persuade  the  people  into  a  good  opinion  of  her  ;  tell- 
them  slie  could  never  requite  their  extreme  good 
good  services  to  her  during  her  indisposition  ;  and 
lamenting  her  own  unhappiness  in  being  so  trou- 
blesome and  fatiguing  to  persons  of  so  kind  and 
obliging  a  behaviour.  They,  in  like  manner,  an- 
swered that,  if  their  poor  services  had  contributed 
any  thing  to  her  ease  and  recovery,  they  were  suffi- 
ciently Miadc  amends  for  all  their  trouble. 

Now  the  scene  was  entirely  changed  ;  the  raving, 
proud,  ill-natured  gentlewoman  became  the  most 
pleasant,  sociable,  and  best-natured  person  they  had 
ever  met  with  ;  and  they,  who  just  before  conceived 
so  great  a  dislike  to  her,  were  now  so  delighted  with 
her  company  and  conversation  that  she  was  less 
alone  than  formerly,  they  always  contriving  some 
diversion  or  other  to  drive  away  her  melancholy, 
and  to  prevent  a  relapse  ;  hoping  to  send  the  wel- 
conje  news  of  her  perfect  recovery  to  her  husband  ; 
frequently  pleasing  her  with  odd  country  tales ; 
shewing  her  all  the  pleasures  their  fields,  gardens, 
and  orchards  could  atford,  with  many  other  little 
contrivances  to  pass  the  time  away ;  while  she  en- 
deavoured to  divert  them  with  the  comical  adven- 
tures of  the  Londoners.  This  she  endured  almost 
a  month,  with  all  the  seeming  good-nature  imagi- 
nable; but  finding  herself  in  no  way  to  procure  her 
enlargeinent,  and  rather  more  strictly  guarded  than 
formerly,  she  resolved  to  obtain  her  liberty  by  stra- 
tagem, which  she  designed  in  the  following  manner. 

There  was  a  servant  in  the  house,  wliose  name 
was  Thomas,  and  a  lively,  brisk,  fresh  -  coloured 
ycung  man,  indeed  a  fellow  of  admirable  sense  and 
good  manners  :  this  spark  was  of  a  very  amorous 
disposition,  well  versed  in  intrigues,  and  extremely 
b!ij,ing  in  his  temper  and  beliaviour;  who,  as  S'-on 
£  lie  saw  QuarU's  wife,  began  to  think  of  his  former 


00  THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT. 

way  of  livins;.  Now  this  yo'ing  fellow  was  born  in 
L>jiidon  of  veiy  mean  parents,  whose  friends  not 
being  able  to  give  him  a  trade,  he  was  obliged  to 
enter  himself  a  member  of  the  ancient  and  honour- 
able society  of  lacqueys.  His  first  service  was  to  a 
widow  gentlewoman,  where  he  learnt  all  tlie  neces- 
sary qualifications  of  his  emp'oy  ;  but  his  mistress 
being  a  very  religious  woman,  going  to  church  two 
or  three  times  every  day,  where  he  was  obliged  con- 
stantly to  attend  her,  and  so  much  gravity  not  suit- 
ing his  mercurial  temper,  soon  obliged  him  to  quit 
his  post.  But  he  being  an  arch  wag,  and  ssly  knave, 
soon  aovanced  liimself  to  be  a  footman  to  a  young 
nobleman.  Here  he  began  to  shew  his  genius  ;  for 
his  master  being  a  young  gentleman  very  much  de- 
lighted witli  love  adventures,  frequently  made  use  of 
him  in  those  cases;  and,  finding  him  to  be  ot  a  sharp 
ready  wit,  very  careful,  and  well  skilled  in  tacitur- 
nity, soon  made  him  secret  messenger  in  ordinary 
to  all  his  intrigues  ;  in  which  station  he  behaved 
himself  admirably  well,  having  all  the  accomplish- 
ments necessary  for  so  weigiity  a  trust,  viz.  vigi- 
lance, despatch,  and  secrecy ;  and  tliese  so  well 
managed  that  he  seldom  failed  in  his  designs.  This 
post  of  honour  he  enjoyed  for  a  long  time,  with 
great  credit  and  reputation  ;  and  gained  so  great  a 
share  of  his  master's  artections  that  he  likewise 
made  him  first  minister  to  all  his  aflairs. 

Now  Tom  is  arrived  to  the  very  summit  of  his 
fortune;  regaling  himself  in  all  kinds  of  pleasure, 
beloved  and  trusted  by  his  master,  honoured  and 
respected  by  his  fellow-servants,  and,  in  short,  might 
be  said  to  be  perfectly  happy.  But  here  that  jilt, 
which  so  long  flattered  him  with  her  kind  em- 
braces, at  one  fatal  blow  removes  all  the  means 
whereby  he  ascended,  and  pushes  him  from  the  lofty 
precipice  to  the  deepest  sink  of  poverty  imaL.Uiable. 

Tom's  master  being  a  lover  of  variety,  his  curio- 
sity prompted  inm  to  see  the  diversion  of  a  country 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  iO« 

wake,  In  order  to  start  some  fresh  game;  and,  to 
that  purpose,  disguises  himself  as  a  plain  country 
gentleman,  and  equips  his  man  Tom  in  the  same 
garb,  on  purpose  to  make  him  his  companion  in  his 
adventure.  This  place,  where  the  wake  was  kept, 
was  about  ten  miles  from  the  nobleman's  seat ;  so 
each  mounted  his  horse,  and  away  they  rode : 
when,  being  arrived  at  the  town,  nigh  which  they 
were  to  hunt  their  game,  they  both  alight,  and  pi.i 
np  their  horses  at  an  inn  ;  and,  having  pulled  otT 
their  boots,  out  they  walk  to  the  place  of  rendezvous. 
As  soon  as  they  came  within  sight  of  the  place,  they 
beheld  the  fields  prettily  bespotted  with  different 
companies,  at  as  many  dirterent  diversions.  In  one 
place,  a  parcel  of  wrestlers,  eagerly  contending  with 
broken  shins,  for  a  pair  of  gloves  ;  in  another,  a 
company  of  cudgel-players,  with  battered  ribs,  light- 
ing for  a  laced  hat;  some  at  one  game,  and  son.t  at 
anotlier;  but  Tom  and  his  master,  who  cared  for 
neither  broken  shins  nor  bloody  brows,  resolved  to 
seek  out  softer  combatants. 

After  they  had  walked  up  and  down  the  field, 
seeing  the  several  diversions;  "  Well,  Tom,"  says 
the  young  nobleman,  "  where  is  our  diversion  ?" 

"  O,"  says  Tom,  "  we  shall  be  with  them  pre- 
sently. Hark,  I  hear  the  noise  of  catgut ;  and  I 
warrant  we  find  them  there."  So,  following  their 
ears,  instead  of  noses,  they  came  to  a  most  spacious 
dome,  vulgarly  called  a  barn  ;  which  they  no  sooner 
entered,  but  Tom  says  to  his  master—  "  Here,  Sir, 
here's  variety  for  you;  here's  nymphs  of  all  sorts 
and  sizes  ;  and,  faith,  of  all  compltxions;  they're  all 
clean  and  neat ;  all  fit  for  the  game  :  come,  sir,  pick 
and  choose:  which  pretty  smiling  rogue  must  be 
your  nymph  ?  Come,  let's  see  what  you'll  do;  for 
I  long  to  be  at  it." 

*'  Do  you  long  to  see  what  I'll  do  ?  "  says  the  no- 
bleman; "  why  I  intend  to  work  miracles;  I  shall 
make  my  nymph  a  goddess,  before  I  leave  her^" 


108  THZ  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

"  Well,  then,"  replied  Tom,  "  I  suppose  I  may 
take  the  privilege  to  make  my  girl  a  nymph,  at 
least."  While  they  were  thus  talking,  they  stood 
like  two  hawks  hovering  over  their  prey,  not  know 
ing  on  which  to  fix  their  fatal  talons ;  and  the  rus- 
tics staring  at  them  with  open  month,  and  distended 
nostrils,  not  knowing  what  to  think  of  them.  At 
length  Mr.  Scrape,  by  tuning  his  melodious  battered 
fiddle,  summons  all  the  girls  to  readiness,  each  pre- 
paring her  feet  for  the  sport ;  while  every  Hob 
began  to  seize  a  partner,  and  Tom  and  his  master 
in  the  mean  time  (you  may  be  sure)  were  not  idle  : 
for,  offering  their  service  to  a  couple  of  pretty 
cherry-cheeked  rogues,  as  Tom  called  them,  the 
innocent  girls  very  fladly  accepted  their  oflFers, 
little  dreaming  their  wicked  intentions  ;  but  the 
mischief  was,  the  nobleman  had  gut  the  girl  which 
Tom  had  the  most  inclination  to,  which  caused  such 
a  secret  envy  in  his  breast  that  became  the  fatal 
cause  of  his  unfortunate  disgrace. 

Now  the  dance  was  begun  with  great  fury  on 
both  sides;  the  girls  romping  and  tearing,  and  the 
fellows  pulling  and  hauling,  and  shoving',  and  kiss- 
ing, and  tumbling  like  so  many  mad  devils;  while 
Tom  and  his  master,  being  strangers  to  such  kind  of 
diversion,  stood  like  two  images,  and  the  country 
fellows  mocking  thei'.i  ;  which  Tom  observing,  and 
seeing  his  partner  very  dull,  thought  they  should 
never  out-do  him  in  caterwauling:  therefore,  shrug- 
ging up  his  shoulders,  and  rubbing  his  eyes  a  little 
bit,  he  began  to  be  as  brisk  as  the  best.  The  noble- 
man, observing  his  man  Tom's  alteration,  thought 
proper  to  follow  his  example  ;  so,  pushing  down  two 
or  three  gifls,  fi.ll  upon  them,  and  kissed  them  till 
they  were  almost  stifled;  then  hoisting  them  up, 
extends  his  mouth  to  a  full  yawn,  and  laughs  as  loud 
aid  with' as  great  a  grace  as  any  of  them;  while 
Tom,  to  shew  his  activity,  jumps  about  a  yard  high, 
alwa^-s  taking  care  to  light  upon  somebody's  toei; 


THE  ENGLISH  fiERUIT.  199 

which  generally  put  tlie  whole  company  into  a  loud 
fit  of  laughter,  except  the  person  hurt ;  who,  in 
compliance  to  the  rest,  was  obliged  to  put  her  mouth 
in  a  grinning  posture. 

Thus  they  became  the  most  facetious  companions 
imaginable  (every  one  praising  the  two  gentlemen's 
good  humour  and  activity)  and,  in  short,  became 
the  wonder  of  the  whole  company.  But  Tom  and 
his  master,  having  tired  themselves  and  iheir  part- 
ners sutficiently,  began  to  think  of  retiring,  in  order 
to  refresh  their  weary  limbs  ;  and,  motioning  the 
same  to  their  nymphs,  the  poor  girls  very  willingly 
accompanied  them.  Now  they  thought  themselves 
secure  of  their  intended  sport,  and  conducted  them 
for  that  purpose  to  the  inn  where  they  had  put  up 
their  hoises. 

As  soon  as  they  were  set  down,  they  ordered  wine 
to  be  brought,  and  a  supper  got  ready,  in  order  to 
detain  and  intoxicate  the  girls,  if  possible ;  and 
therefore  they  plied  themselves  very  close  with 
liquor.  Now  Tom's  partner,  being  a  very  brisk 
lively  girl,  never  refused  her  glass  ;  but  the  noble- 
man's was  of  a  very  mild,  easy  deportment,  and 
would  drink  but  little :  he  seeing  her  temper,  be- 
gan to  be  very  amorous  on  purpose  to  try  what 
that  would  do  ;  but  she  in  so  sweet  and  easy  a 
manner  checked  his  rudeness,  that  it  raised  in 
Tom  a  most  violent  passion  for  his  master's  partner. 
At  length  supper  was  brought  to  table,  which  was 
no  sooner  over  but  night  began  to  appear  :  the  two 
girls,  perceiving  the  time,  desired  leave  to  go  home, 
which  the  nobleman  absolutely  refused;  but  Tom, 
thinking  to  make  sure  of  his  game  upon  the  road, 
consented  to  go  with  his  partner,  which  the  other 
hearing,  begged  not  to  be  left  alone,  but  that  she 
might  go  likewise  :  the  nobleman  (thinking  he  had 
not  brought  her  to  the  desired  pitch)  as  heartily 
desired  her  to  stay,  vowing  that  nobody  should 
wrong  or  hurt  her :  but  when  the  other  gentleman 


110  THE  EXGI-ISH  HERUrr. 

returned  (meaning  Tom)  they  both  .would  coudnct 
her  home  :  so,  by  mere  dint  of  argument,  prevailed 
open  her  to  tarry  till  Tom's  return. 

Now  Tom,  as  soon  as  he  had  got  from  the  town, 
began  to  attack  his  fort,  which,  after  a  little  parley, 
surrendered  at  discretion ;  so  Tom  rased  the  walls 
to  the  ground,  entered  the  castle^  and  took  posses- 
sion of  the  city :  all  which  being  transacted,  he 
leaves  her,  promising  to  revisit  her  the  next  day, 
and  bends  his  hasty  steps  towards  the  inn,  with  a 
deal  of  impatit-nce,  jnuttering  these  words  as  he 
•went — *'  What  a  blockhead  was  I  to  let  my  master 
be  too  nimble  for  me  !  Ah !  fool  that  I  was,  to  lose 
so  delicious  a  morsel,  and  take  possession  of  so  easy 
a  fool,  who,  as  soon  as  asked,  consented  ;  when  the 
other,  with  all  the  pretty  engaging  airs,  so  rao<lestly 
checks  any  thing  that  looks  like  rudeness.  Well, 
faith,  since  it  is  so,  I'll  make  the  best  on't,  and  try 
whether  I  can't  chouse  him  of  his  partner."  So 
said,  so  resolved,  and  indeed  so  done. 

For,  as  soon  as  Tom  came  in,  the  girl  claimed 
their  promise  ;  saying,  the  gentleman  was  so  rude 
that  she  would  stay  no  longer:  desiring  them  either 
to  go  home  with  her,  or  let  her  go  by  herself.  Bnt 
Tom,  desirous  to  renew  the  sport,  begged  of  her, 
with  all  the  prevailing  arguments  he  was  capable 
of.  to  tarry  ;  telling  her  he  was  a  little  tired  with  the 
Malk  he  had  taken,  and  wanted  to  refresh  himself:  so 
desired  her  to  stay  while  he  only  took  a  glass, and  he 
would  go  with  her.  The  girl  very  unwillingly  com- 
plied, and  sat  down  again.  The  nobleman,  finding 
Tom  had  no  mind  to  part  with  her,  imagined  he 
was  bringing  about  what  himself  had  so  long  endea- 
voure<l  iu  vain ;  and  therefore,  pulling  out  his 
watch,  he  starts  up  in  haste,  and  says  he  must  needs 
go,  for  it  was  past  the  lime  that  he  promised  to  be 
ai  a  certain  place:  so  tells  the  innocent  girl  he  very 
unwillingly  left  her;  but  he  hoped  this  would  not 
break  their  new  acquaintance,  for  he  would  pay  her 


THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  Ill 

a  visit  in  a  short  time,  desiring  to  be  excused  for 
this  time;  and  he  believed  he  could  prevail  upon 
the  other  gentleman  to  conduct  her  home.  Tom, 
vho  understood  liis  meaning,  lollows  him  to  the 
door,  and  tliere  receives  his  charge,  which  was,  that 
he  shoidd  biing  her  to  a  house  they  both  knew, 
about  tluee  miles  off,  as  soon  as  possible  :  so  took 
his  leave,  mounted  liis  horse,  and  went  thither,  im- 
patiently wailing  for  his  prey. 

Now  Tom  was  exceedingly  pleased  with  his 
master's  intentions,  resolving  to  put  tlie  bite  upon 
the' biter ;  and,  as  soon  as  the  nobleman  departed, 
began  to  attack  tiie  fortitication  with  all  the  artil- 
lery wine  and  soft  words  could  supply  him  with  : 
but  the  defendant,  proof  to  battery  of  this  kind, 
held  out  nobly  a  long  time,  and  moved  strongly  for 
a  cessation  of  arms,  desiring  leave  to  go  home  : 
but  Tom,  acquainted  with  the  various  turns  of  in 
trigues,  resolved  not  to  lose  his  game,  being  well 
assured  he  should  bring  her  to  articles  in  a  little 
time ;  and  began  a  fresh  attack,  which  lasted  so 
long  that  she  was  obliged  to  cry  for  quarters ;  but  it 
being  too  late  for  going  home,  Tom  persuaded  her  to 
lie  there  ;  assuring  her  that  he  woidd  see  her  well 
providef'  for;  and  so  she  blushingly  consented. 

Thus  Tom  having  gained  his  point,  orders  a  bed 
to  be  got  ready;  ai.d  then  desired  his  mistress,  who 
was,  by  this  time  much  overcome  with  wine  and 
sleep,  to  go  to  bed.  The  poor  girl  (still  between 
doubt  and  fear)  knew  not  what  to  say,  but,  tremb- 
ling, denies  Aviiat  her  looks  desired  :  and,  after  a 
great  many  arguments  on  both  sides,  she  resigns 
herself  entirely  to  him.  The  sly  knave,  joyful  of  his 
prey,  conducts  his  mistress  to  bed;  but,  as  they  weie 
going,  the  old  crafty  innkeeper  cries,  in  mere  form 
— "  1  hope,  sir,  that's  your  wife,  for  I  woidd  by  no 
means  have  any  tiling  dishonest  done  in  my  house." 
— "  Yes,  yes,"  (says  our  rogue)  "  you  may  assure 
yourself  it  is   my  wife,  or  else   I    »hould  not  Jiave 


11*  THB  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

offered  to  go  bed  with  her,"  while  the  poor  girl, 
hiding  her  face,  ran  np  stairs  as  fast  as  she  could. 

They  had  not  been  long  above,  when  the  noble- 
man, uneasy  at  their  delay,  returns  to  the  inn,  and 
inquires  after  the  couple  he  left.  "  Why,  sir,"  said 
the  host,  "  they're  abed." 

"  Abed!  "  says  the  nobleman,  "  abed  !  " 

"  Yes,  sir,"  answered  he,  "  it  being  too  late  to 
go  home,  they  took  up  their  lodgings  here." 

"  What!  are  they  a-bed  together?"  said  the  gen- 
tleman. 

"  Yes,"  says  the  inn-keeper,  "  I  left  'em  toge- 
ther." The  nobleman,  hearing  this,  stood  like  one 
thunderstruck,  his  eyes  .darting  lightning  and  his 
blood  all/In  flame  ;  but,  bridling  his  passion,  very 
coolly  inquired  where  they  lodged,  saying  he  had 
some  business  of  moment  to  impart  to  the  gentle- 
man, and  he  must  that  minute  spe^k  to  him.  The 
innkeeper,  unacquainted  wiih  his  design,  verycom- 
plaisantly  conilucted  him  to  their  apartment;  and 
knocking  at  the  door  told  Tom  the  gentleman  was 
returned,  and  wanted  to  speak  with  him.  Tom  not 
being  yet  undressed,  knowing  his  master's  fiery 
temper,  and  the  just  resentment  he  was  snre  to  meet 
•with,  opens  the  window,  and  out  he  jumps,  without 
Baying  a  word  ;  and,  having  bruised  himself  with  the 
fall,  lay  sometime  upon  the  ground  ;  till,  recovering 
himself  a  little,  he  precipitately  got  over  the  garden- 
wall,  into  which  he  had  dropt  from  the  window; 
and  scours  over  the  fields  as  fast  as  he  could,  without 
ever  looking  back. 

But  having  run  himself  out  of  breath,  and  thinking 
bims«Jf  out  of  danger,  down  he  sits,  reflecting  upon 
his  melancholy  circumstances. "  0  miserable  wretch !" 
Bays  he,  "  what  have  I  done?  How  dare  I  ever  see 
iry  master,  who  always  reposed  his  tru'^t  in  me  ? 
And  I,  like  a  perfidious  villain,  to  deceive  him  ! 
Certain  death  attends  me,  if  I  go  home ;  and,  if  I 
tarry  here,  there's  nothing  but  beggary  or  starving  ; 


THE  EXGLI?H  HERMII.  113 

I  have  at  once  lost  all  credit  and  reputation,  and  see 
notliiii};  but  ruin,  unavoidable  ruin.  O  woman, 
voman!  cnrseri,  bewitching  woman  ;  what  an  infinite 
niiniber  of  mischiefs  are  you  the  simrce  of!  But 
wlio  do  I  exclaim  against  a  woman  so  innocent,  and 
so  cliarniiiii;,  wlien  I,  the  traiterous  dtceiver,  souglit 
nothing  bin  her  eternal  misery  ?  O  just  Heaven! 
'twas  yon  that  saved  her  from  impending  ruin,  an 
deservetlly  tlirew  all  the  fatal  etlects  upon  myself: 
■well,  I'll  bear  them  patiently  ;  load  me  with  all  the 
evils  yon  can  bring,  till  they  mount  so  high  you  can 
lay  no  more."  Raving  and  cursing  in  this  manner, 
he  tired  his  spirits  and  fell  asleep. 

Having  slept  some  time,  he  awakes,  wondering 
where  lie  was  :  "  Did  I  dream,"  says  he,  "  or  is  ft 
real  ?  No,  it  must  certainly  be  true  ;  I  am  the  most 
wretched  mortal  breathing.  The  very  same  ruin  I 
intended  the  poor  innocent  girl  has  justly  fallen 
upon  myself;  and  what  is  become  of  her  I  know 
not,  nor  dare  I  to  inquire;  but  I  hope,  as  Heaven 
has  hiilierto  protected  her,  it  will  likewie  preserve 
her  from  the  evil  intents  of  my  master."  Reflect- 
ing upon  himself  in  this  manner,  he  walked  about 
till  day-light,  not  knowing  what  to  do,  nor  whitiier 
to  go  :  he  was  not  a  great  way  from  London,  desti- 
tute of  friends  or  acquaintance,  little  or  no  money 
in  his  pocket,  and  durst  not  see  his  master.  De- 
spairing, in  this  condition,  he  s:tw  a  company  of  hay- 
makers going  to  work,  it  being  summer-time;  and 
re.solved  to  make  one  of  their  number,  if  possible ; 
hoping  by  that  means  to  keep  himself  from  starving, 
and  work  liis  passage  up  to  London. 

With  this  resolution  he  attacks  the  haymakers, 
asking  them  whence  they  came,  and  whither  they 
were  going  :  which  they  answered  very  civilly,  tell- 
ing him  they  came  from  London,  and  were  going 
towards  the  North  of  England  :  so, being  baulked  in 
his  expectation  of  coming  to  London  along  with 
them,  he  knew  not  what  to  do ;  but  at  last  resolved 

I 


114  THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT. 

to  go  alon?  with  them,  hoping  to  meet  something  in 
his  way  that  might  make  his  journey  pleasant ;  so 
tells  them  his  resulution  to  make  one  aniongst  them  : 
but  they,  seeing  a  man  genteelly  dressed  petitioning 
for  a  poor  haymaker's  place,  took  him  to  be  only  in 
jest,  and  told  him  they  should  be  glad  of  such  a 
companion,  if  he  spoke  as  he  thought.  He  protested 
to  them  the  sincerity  of  his  intention,  telling  thera 
his  misfortunes  drove  him  to  such  low  circum- 
stances. They  then  said  they  should  be  very  glad  to 
serve  him,  and  that  their  master  would  be  in  the 
field  by-and-by,  and  he  would  hire  him,  for  he 
wanted  hands :  so  he  went  with  them,  and  tarried 
till  the  old  farmer  came,  who,  finding  a  well-dressed 
young  fellow  wanting  an  employment  of  that  kind, 
a!4ced  him  a  great  many  questions,  which  Tom  an- 
swered very  pertinently :  the  farmer,  therefore, 
taking  it  only  as  a  frolick,  was  willing  not  to  baulk 
him,  and  so  liired  him,  saying,  he  might  go  to  work 
that  very  day,  if  he  would ;  but  Tom,  wanting  a  fork, 
told  him  that  as  soon  as  he  could  get  his  tools  in 
readiness  he  would  come  ;  so  hires  a  man  to  go  to 
the  next  town  to  buy  him  one,  with  which,  as  soon 
as  bought,  he  falls  to  work  very  pleasantly. 

Tom  went  with  them  from  place  to  place,  con- 
forming himself  to  their  customs  in  every  point, 
being  a  verv  merry  companion,  and  much  beloved 
by  his  fellows  :  his  present  life  became  much  plea- 
santer  than  his  former,  never  inquiring  after  his 
master,  or  country  girl,  nor  did  he  know  what  ^\as 
become  of  them.'  At  last,  it  fell  to  his  lot  to  be 
hired  by  tlie  farmer  he  then  worked  for  ;  who, seeing 
him  a  tractable,  bri;k  young  fellow,  asked  him  whe- 
ther he  would  be  his  servant;  for  he  then  wanted 
one.  Tom,  after  a  little  hesitation,  told  him  he 
should  be  glad  of  such  a  master;  so  struck  a  bargain, 
and  hired  himself  for  a  year. 

Tom  had  not  been  there  much  above  a  year, 
b*.tore  Quarll's  wife  came  down  thither,  who,  being 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  lift 

a  genteel  London  madam,  reminded  him  of  his 
former  intrigues,  and  raised  in  him  an  inclination 
for  her;  but,  being  in  so  humble  a  station,  he  dared 
not  attack  the  haughty  dame,  till  he  might  tind  a  fa- 
vourable opportunity ;  and  so  took  all  occasions  to 
oblige  her,  and  was  better  respected  by  her  than  any 
of  the  others,  she  often  saying  that  that  fellow  had  a 
certain  Je  ne  scaiqnoi  in  him,  which  at  once  claimed 
love  and  respect.  Tom,  understanding  this,  thought 
time  would  certainly  bring  about  his  purpose  ;  which 
not  long  after  happened  in  this  manner. 

Tom,  during  her  alteration  of  temper,  had  more 
liberty  of  converse  than  before,  and  often  diverted 
her  with  entertaining  stories ;  and  one  day,  being 
alone  with  her,  opened  to  her  the  whole  series  of 
his  past  fortunes  and  misfortunes,  which  she  heard 
with  great  attention  and  pleasure ;  for  Tom  had 
never  before  discovered  himself  to  any;  but,  think- 
ing to  gain  credit  with  this  gentlewoman,  made  her 
only  privy  to  it.  When  Tom  was  gone,  she  began 
to  reflect  on  the  fellow's  dexterity  ;  and,  believing 
him  well  skilled  in  all  kinds  of  adventures,  thought 
he  might  be  a  tit  instrument  for  her  escape,  and 
resolved  to  advise  with  him  about  it :  accordingly, 
the  next  day  took  an  opportunity  to  call  him  to  her 
again,  when  she  was  alone,  desiring  him  to  divert 
her  with  some  of  his  merry  tales,  telling  him  she 
was  then  very  melancholy.  "  Madam,"  says  Tom, 
"  I  am  sorry  I  should  find  you  melancholy  ;  but  I'll 
do  all  I  can  to  please  you." 

"  Ay,"  says  she,  "  if  you  knew  the  occasion  of 
my  melancholy,  you  would  pity  me,  as  well  as  be 
sorry  ;  but  you  cannot  be  ignorant  what  a  prisoner 
I  am  made  liere,  how  constantly  I  am  attended,  and 
have  scarce  any  thing  but  brutes  to  speak  to.  I  can 
assure  you,  that  this  usage  is  enough  to  make  me  as 
mad  as  the  people  take  me  to  be  ;  for  I  never  was 
hrought  up  in  this  manner,  which  my  husband 
knows ;  it  is  only  a  contrivance  of  his  to  keep  me 
12 


116  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

here  a  close  prisoner,  if  possible  ;  but  I'll  deceive 
him  :  for  if  a  woman's  invention  can  find  any  means 
to  escape  this  cursed  place,  he  shall  be  sure  to  see 
me  in  London  quickly,  and  that  to  his  great  mor- 
tification." 

The  sly  rogue  heard  her  very  quietly,  and  thought 
he  might  now  have  his  de-ired  ends  ;  so  tells  her 
she  should  be  released  that  very  night,  if  she 
pleased,  and  he  himself  would  accompany  her  to 
Ldffdon  ;  for  he  longed  to  be  there  again.  She 
was  glad  to  hear  him  say  so  ;  and  asked  him  by 
■what  means  he  intended  to  convey  her  thence. 
"O  Lord!"  says  he,  "easy  enough.  I'll  tell  yon 
how.  I'll  take  a  ladder,  and  set  it  against  your 
window,  and  so  come  into  your  room,  and  take  your 
clothes,  and  every  thing  you  have  a  mind  to  send 
to  London,  and  send  them  to  a  particular  acquain- 
tance of  mine  ;  then  I'll  come  back  and  fetch  you, 
and  conduct  you  to  the  next  town,  wliich  is  not 
above  five  or'  six  miles  off,  and  stay  there  for  the 
stage  coach,  and  so  go  both  to  London  together." 
The  gentlewoman,  willing  to  get  her  liberty  at  any 
rate,  agreed  to  the  proposal,  only  desiring  another 
day  to  look  after  all  her  things,  and  pack  them  up 
conveniently,  because  she  would  not  hurry  herself, 
lest  they  should  mistrust,  and  stop  her  journey. 

Tom  consented  to  what  she  said,  and  wished  for 
the  approaching  time  ;  which  being  come,  and  all 
things  in  readiness,  he  brings  the  ladder,  and 
mounts  up  towards  the  room  ;  while  she  as  readily 
delivers  him,  from  tlfe  window,  all  her  baggage 
ready  packed  up;  vliicii  Tom  takes  and  carries 
away,  and  presently  returns  to  fetch  the  gentle- 
woman ;  who,  overjoyed  to  think  herself  freed  from 
that  tiresome  place,  gets  out  of  window,  and  began 
to  descend  the  ladder  ;  but,  being  over-eager,  and 
not  used  toenterprizesof  that  kind,  her  fool  slipped, 
and  down  she  tumbles,  ladder  and  all ;  which  Tom 
seeing,  knew   the  consequence,  and  ran  away  as  he 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  117 

could,  leaving  Mrs.  Qiiarll  to  get  np  by  herself;  fw 
tlie  ladder,  in  tumbling,  broke  the  windows  where 
the  old  farmer  lay,  and  made  a  horrid  noise,  so 
that  it  scared  tiie  good  man  out  of  his  sleep,  who 
got  up  to  see  what  was  the  matter ;  and,  perceiving 
the  gentlewoman's  window  open,  and  a  fellow  run- 
ning across  the  yard,  criesout — "  Murder!  Thieves  I 
thieves  !"  which  alarmed  the  whole  family  ;  some 
getting  pitchforks,  some  pokers ;  some  one  thing 
some  another,  in  order  to  scare  the  thieves ;  bu 
the  old  man,  with  his  fowling-piece  in  hand,  like  a 
noble  commander,  led  the  van,  searching  all  his 
house  over  for  thieves,  and  to  see  what  he  had  lost, 
carefully  looking  into  every  hole  and  corner,  not 
daring  to  advance  too  fast,  for  fear  of  a  surprize  ; 
and  coming  to  Mrs.  Quarll's  room,  whose  window 
he  had  seen  open,  calls  to  her  a  long  time  ;  but, 
hearing  no  answer,  fancied  she  was  murdered,  and 
therefore  breaks  open  the  door,  and  searches  the 
room ;  but  tiiere  was  no  Mrs.  Quarll  to  be  found  : 
they  stared  one  at  another,  not  knowing  what  to 
think.  However,  when  they  had  examined  all  the 
house,  they  boldly  sallied  into  the  yard  to  hunt  the 
thieves  there  ;  and,  looking  about,  they  perceived 
something  under  the  ladder,  which  looked  like 
women's  clothes  ;  so,  taking  it  up,  they  pulled  from, 
under  it  a  real  woman,  something  like  Mrs.  Quarll  ; 
and,  looking  more  narrowly,  perceived  it  to  be  the 
very  same  individual  person,  almost  dead  with  the 
fright  and  the  bruises  she  had  received. 

And  now  their  greatest  wonder  was,  how  she 
came  thither.  The  old  man  said  he  believed  that 
some  thieves  had  gotten  into  the  house,  and,  to 
prevent  her  crying,  had  stopped  her  mouth,  and 
thrown  her  out  of  the  window.  "But,"  says  another 
wiseacre,  "  how  came  she  to  have  her  clothes  on  ?  I 
am  sure  she  ought  to  have  been  abed.  Now,"  adds 
he,  "  I  believe  the  devil  tempted  her  to  throw 
herself  out  of  the  window ;    and  that  must  certainly 


118  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

be  him  yon  saw  run  across  the  yard  so  swiftly." 
Thus  they  disputed  a  long  time,  but  at  last  agreed 
that  she  ought  to  be  carried  to  bed  again,  and  have 
care  taken  of  her  :  and  so  carried  her  up  stairs ; 
and  then  went  to  finish  their  search,  while  the 
good  old  woman  and  her  daughter  undressed  her, 
got  her  to  be  i,  and  sat  up  with  her  all  that  night. 

After  all  was  finished,  the  old  man,  willing  to 
know  what  quantity  of  men  he  had  lost,  calls  a  ge- 
neral muster;  and,  finding  Tom  missing',  wondered 
where  he  was  got  to,  asking  if  he  lay  at  home  that 
night.  They  told  him  "  No ;"  but  they  believed  he 
was  gone  a  sweethearting.  "  A  sweethearting !" 
says  the  old  fellow;  "  well,  let  him  be  (here  always; 
for  he  shall  never  come  hither  again  :  how  do  I 
know  but  he  has  sent  the  thieves  to  rob  me,  or  that 
he  is  not  one  of  them  himself?  If  he  ever  comes 
hither,  I'll  turn  him  about  his  business  as  soon  as  I 
see  him."  But  Tom  understood  belter  things  than 
to  come  tliither  again  ;  for  he  knew  the  adventure 
would  be  blown,  and  then  he  should  be  certainly 
discarded  with  disgrace  ;  so  was  resolved  to  make 
the  best  of  what  he  had  got ;  went  away,  and  was 
never  heard  of  again. 

Mrs.  Quarll,  as  soon  as  come  to  her  speech,  con- 
•fesses  the  whole  intrigue,  and  lays  the  blame  upon 
her  husband  ;  saying,  he  sent  her  thither  to  be  mur- 
dered ;  and  now  he  had  his  desired  end,  only  that 
she  was  the  unhappy  cause  of  her  own  death.  The 
old  man,  as  soon  as  he  knew  the  matter  perfectly, 
writes  to  her  husband  a  full  account  of  the  whole 
story;  telling  him  he  was  in  a  fair  way  to  lose  his 
wife  ;  and  that,  if  it  should  so  happen,  lie  had  no 
occasion  to  send  for  his  wife's  clothes,  for  she  had 
before  lost  them  ;  and  he  te  Is  him  by  what  means. 
Quarll,  as  soon  as  he  had  the  letter,  was  very  much 
troubled  at  his  wife's  fully ;  but  resolved,  if  she  re 
covered,  she  should  tarry  sometime  without  clothes  ; 
which  be  knew  would  be  punishment  enough  to  her 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  119 

pride  :  so  he  writes  back  to  them  that  they  should 
take  all  possible  care  to  restore  her  to  her  health, 
and  likewise  to  prevent  any  thing  of  that  kind  for 
the  future ;  telling  them  that  in  a  little  time  he 
would  send  her  soine  clothes,  and  make  them 
amtiids  for  their  trouble. 

Mrs.  Qnarll,  in  about  a  month,  began  to  be  upon 
the  mending  hand  ;  which  her  husband  being  in- 
formed of,  resolved  to  make  her  stay  another  month 
without  clothes,  which  he  knew  would  be  a  greater 
punishment  than  the  other  month  of  sickness.  But 
here  he  was  mistaken  ;  for  it  was  almost  three 
months  before  she  perfectly  recovered  ;  who,  find- 
ing that,  before  that  time,  her  husband  had  sent  her 
some  fine  new  clothes,  was,  in  great  measure,  re- 
conciled to  him  ;  and  resolved,  during  her  stay  tliere, 
to  be  much  more  easy  in  her  mind  tlian  before. 

The  good  people,  wiiom  she  had  often  scared  with 
her  outrageous  passion,  were  very  glad  to  see  her  so 
calm,  and  took  that  opportunity  to  represent  to  her 
the  happiness  of  her  condition  ;  being  well  attended, 
and  as  well  provided  with  all  necessaries,  free  from 
that  subjection  she  might  be  under,  if  with  her 
husband,  whose  cross  and  ill  humours  she  woidd  be 
obliged  to  bear  with  :  besidestwenty  other  vexations 
incumbent  to  a  married  life,  from  which  she  was 
screened  by  his  being  from  lier. 

The  old  woman's  wise  remonstrances  being  backed 
with  the  sudden  arrival  ot  a  fresh  supply  of  several 
sorts  of  choice  drams,  as  also  the  ensuing  quarter's 
money  for  her  board,  and  tlie  season  rendering  the 
country  extremely  agreeable,  made  her  patiently 
submit  to  continue  there  till  the  fall  of  the  leaf' 
against  which  time  she  would  contrive  some  way 
or  other  to  go,  if  her  husband  did  not  come  for  her. 

But  Quarll,  who,  ever  since  her  being  in  the 
country,  had  enjoyed  the  uncontrolled  pleasures  of 
a  single  life,  having  no  mind  to  interrupt  them  by 
her  presence,  took   care  to  secure  her  there  ;  send- 


120  THE   ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

ing  her  guardians  now  and  then  fresh  charge  to  be 
watchful  over  her,  and  a  small  present  to  encourage 
them  to  it. 

But  surly  Fate,  who  was  ever  averse  to  his  hap- 
piness, suggests  a  new  interruption  thereto.  Quarll, 
having  given  over  house-keeping,  happened  to  come 
and  live  at  a  mantua-maker's  of  vast  business,  and 
reputed  worth  money.  She  was  a  single  woman, 
pretty  handsome,  but  intolerably  proud  and  con- 
ceited ;  which  was  the  cause  of  licr  bejiig  still  un 
married,  thinking  herself  too  good  for  any  trades- 
man, or  anything  below  a  gentleman  ;  which  seeing 
no  prospect  to  get,  being  courted  by  none,  she 
became  a  general  man-hater  :  but  Quaiil,  who  was 
a  handsome  young  man,  and  of  a  genteel  employ, 
tliough  not  a  gentleman,  coming  to  lodge  at  her 
house,  reconciled  her  to  the  sex  in  a  little  time,  and 
made  her  change  her  resolution  never  to  marry, 
heartily  wisliing  he  would  court  her:  therefore,  by 
her  more  than  common  attendance  for  a  lodger,  did 
all  slie  could  to  give  him  invitation,  but  all  to  little 
success  ;  for  Quarll,  wlio  hail  been  already  twice 
incumbered  in  the  troublesome  state  of  matrimony, 
and  but  lately  rid  of  his  last  plague,  had  no  mind  to 
venture  any  more  ;  so  did  not  answer  her  expecta- 
tion :  but  lier  love  increasing  daily,  without  being 
taken  notice  of,  she  was  obliged  to  declare  it  to  an 
old  gentlewoman,  who  lodged  in  the  next  room  to 
him  ;  who,  having  doubtless  been  in  the  same  con- 
dition, was,  by  experience,  capable  to  give  her 
advice. 

The  old  gentlewoman  (as  it  is  peculiar  to  them, 
when  past  the  sport  themselves,  to  love  to  promote 
it  in  others)  took  upon  her  the  management  of  that 
artair  ;  and  from  that  time  watched  the  opportunity 
of  speaking  to  him,  which  was  only  in  the  morning 
oefore  he  went  out,  or  at  night  when  he  came  home, 
Deing  abroad  all  the  day  beside  :  so,  having  resolved 
upon  it,  the  next  morning  she   leaves  her  own  door 


THB  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  121 

open,  which  was  opposite  to  his,  jvaiting  his  coming 
out,  to  invite  him  to  a  dish  of  chocolate,  which  she 
had  ready  for  that  purpose. 

Having,  according  to  her  desire,  got  him  into  her 
chamber,  as  he  was  drinking  his  dish,  she  feigns  a 
lit  of  laughing.  "  You  wonder,"  said  she,  "  what  'tis 
I  laugh  at ;  but,  I  dare  say,  you'll  laugh  as  well  as 
I,  when  you  know  :  why,  our  man-hater  is  in  love 
at  last ;  in  love  up  to  her  ears,  as  sure  as  you  are 
alive !" 

.  "  Our  m*an-haler,  Madam  !"  says  he  ;  "  who  is 
that  I" 

"  Don't  you  know?"  replied  she:  "why,  our  land- 
lady, who  has  refused  so  many  fine  otters.  Lord, 
liow  happily  might  that  woman  have  married  !  She 
might  have  rode  in  her  coach  years  ago  ;  but  no  man 
was  good  enough  for  madam :  this  had  such  a  fault, 
and  that  another  :  in  short,  none  could  pkase  her. 
'Tis  true,  indeed,  she  is  very  deserving  :  the  worst 
part  of  her  is  in  the  sight,  and  that  you  know  is  not 
disagreeable  ;  but  did  you  see  vhat  a  fine  body  she 
has,  you  would  be  ready  to  run  niad  for  her:  surely 
she  has  the  finest  leg  and  foot  tliat  ever  woman  went 
on;  and,  for  a  skin,  she  may  challenge  the  whole 
sex  :  in  short,  she  is  fit  for  a  king's  embraces.  She 
has  several  good  properties  besides ;  and  one  above 
all,  which  perhaps  you  11  say  is  the  principal;  she 
has  money,  and  a  great  deal;  well,  that  \\ill  be 
soon  disposed  of,  I  dare  say;  1  NNi*h  I  knew  on 
whom  ;  sure  it  must  be  some  angel ;  for  I  have 
heard  her  find  fault  with  very  handsome  men  that 
have  addressed  to  her.  Pray,  did  you  ever  observe 
any  man  to  come  here?  He  must  be  the  person; 
for  all  her  concerns  are  with  women." 

"  Indeed,"  replied  Quarll,  "  I  never  take  notioe 
who  comes  :  besides,  I  am  seldom  at  home  ;  so  have 
ni)t  an  opportunity  to  make  observations." 

"  But  I  have,"  said  she  ;  "  and  made  it  my 
bu.-iness  to  mind  ;  yet  never   saw  any  man    in  this 


22  THE   EBiOulSb     b£hun. 

louse  since  I  came,  but  yoa :  suppose   you  should 
#e  he  at  last  ?" 

"  Oh  Maflara,  there  is  no  danger,"  answered 
^•jarll ;  "  she,  who  has  refused  so  many  rich  matches, 
ftill  hardly  set  her  mind  on  a  poor  singing-master." 

"  How  do  yon  know  that  ?"  replied  the  old  lady  : 
'  love  comes  by  fancy,  and  marriage  by  fate,  and  . 
t  may  be  yours  to  have  her :  so  I  woidd  have  yoa 
;nltivafe  her  love,  Mhich  I  could  almost  swear  yon 
jossess ;  yon  will  find  it  worth  your  while  :  here  is 
m  agreeable  woman  in  an  extraordinarily  good 
jusiness,  a  honse  well  furnished,  and,  I'll  warrant, 
jioney-bags  well  filled  :  now,  if  you  are  disposed  to 
nake  your  fortune,  here  is  a  fair  opportunity." 
^uarll  was  sadly  puzzled  what  answer  to  make. 
His  present  circumstances  prompt  him  to  soothe 
Ahat  his  condition  obliges  him  to  deny  :  his  business 
ilackens,  and  his  charges  no  wise  lessen  ;  his  income 
IS  dubious,  and  expenses  certain — the  most  prevail- 
ing arguments  to  embrace  the  offer.  But  then  a 
strong  obstacle  starts  up;  a  wife  :  but  she  is  out  of 
the  way,  and  as  good  as  dead,  whilst  her  living  is 
paid  for,  which  this  proposed  marriage  will  enable 
him  ly»  do,  though  other  business  failed.  That  ob- 
jection being  removed,  his  answer  was,  He  feared 
that  happiness  wonld  be  above  his  aspiring  to ; 
which  being  according  to  the  mediatress's  wish,  she 
promised  him  her  as'i'tance.  So  he  took  his  leave, 
and  went  aboirt  his  daily  atfairs,  leaving  the  manage- 
ment of  that  to  her ;  who  immediately  went  to 
inform  the  amorous  landlady  of  her  success. 

Quarll  being  returned  at  night,  the  old  lady,  pnr- 
snant  to  the  business  she  had  taken  in  hand,  foUowi 
him  to  his  chamber,  with  the  joyful  news  that  she 
had,  by  her  landlady's  blushing,  discovered  what 
her  modesty  would  have  concealed ;  that  he  was  the 
man  beloved  ;  and,  therefore,  she  would  not  have 
him  delay  his  being  made  happy.  To  which  he 
answered.  As  she    had    been  the  first   cause  of  bis 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  123 

happiness,  he  left  the  accomplishment  thereof  to  her 
direction.  "Well,  then,"  said  she,  "if  I  have  the 
ordering  of  it,  it  shall  be  done  next  Sunday,  as 
being,  of  "all  the  week,  the  most  blessed  day."  And 
so  bid  him  good  night. 

The  old  gentlewoman,  being  made  sole  directress 
of  that  affair,  was  very  diligent  in  the  accomplish- 
ment thereof;  so  had  them  married  on  the  day  she 
had  proposed.  The  business  was  done  privately', 
but  the  joy  it  produced  could  not  be  concealed  : 
every  body  read  bride  in  the  new-married  wife's 
face  ;  so  that  greetings  daily  filltd  tiie  house  ;  which, 
for  a  month,  was  a  residence  for  mirth  ;  and,  during 
the  space  of  a  year,  the  seat  of  happiness  ;  Peace 
kept  the  door,  and  Plenty  attended  them.  But 
churlish  Fate,  which  ever  persecuted  him,  would  not 
permit  that  happy  state  to  continue  ;  and,  the  more 
to  aggravate  his  loss,  makes  love,  the  chief  author  of 
his  bliss,  now  the  principal  instrument  of  hi'  sor- 
row; jealousy,  the  greatest  plague  that  can  befal  a 
married  life,  infects  his  wife.  She  is  npon  thorns 
whilst  he  is  ab?ent,  and  uneasy  when  present,  with 
the  fears  of  what  he  had  done  abroad  :  a  discontented 
mind  often  urges  the  utterance  of  vexatious  words, 
and  breeds  jarrings,  enemies  to  Peace;  which, 
being  often  disturbed,  leaves  her  abode,  ^^hich  is 
immediately  taken  up  by  Strife,  and  is  commonly 
attended  with  ruin,  the  decreed  influence  of  poi-r 
Quarll's  surly  fate.  Business  falling  otf  from  both 
their  hands,  makes  them  negligent  of  the  little  they 
have:  the  husband  diverts  his  cares  abroad,  whilst 
the  wife  drinks  away  her  sorrow  at  home.  Thus 
money  growing  scant,  credit  must  be  pledged  ; 
which,  being  not  redeemed,  exposes  the  owner  to 
disgrace,  which  is  commonly  the  poor  man's  lot. 

The  mercer  and  silkman,  with  whom  his  wife 
dealt  before  she  was  married,  having  received 
money  but  once  since  her  marriage,  and  seeing  her 
discontent,  imagined   her  husband   (who  appeared 


1^  THE  ENGLISH    HERMIT. 

something  too  airy  for  one  of  her  sedate  years)  was 
the  occasion  thereof,  by  his  extravagant  spending 
what  she,  with  much  care  and  frugality,  had  saved, 
arrested  him,  without  giving  him  notice ;  lest,  being 
warned,  he  should  get  away  what  she  might  have 
left,  and  then  abscond. 

Quarll,  who  till  then  had  kept  secret  his  being  in 
the  guards,  where  he  continued,  to  screen  him  from 
those  debts  his  eloped  wife  might  contract,  is  now 
obliged  to  let  it  be  known,  to  keep  himself  out  of 
gaol. 

His  proud  wife,  who  thought  men  of  the  best  and 
genteelest  trades  inferior  to  her  merits,  seeing  her- 
self at  last  married  to  one  whose  station  was  looked 
upon  to  be  as  odious  as  that  of  a  cojnmon  bailiff, 
fell  into  such  a  passion  that  it  cast  her  into  a  violent 
fit ;  from  which  being  recovered,  she  flies  out  of 
the  house  in  a  great  fury,  swearing  by  all  that  was 
good  she  would  no  more  live  with  a  foot  syldier;  so 
left  him  in  a  sad  confusion:  yet  he  stayed  in  the 
house,  hoping  she  would,  when  cooler,  consider  of 
it,  and  be  reconciled. 

But  great  was  his  surprize,  when  next  morning, 
Instead  of  his  wife's  coming  according  to  expectation, 
a  Judgment  is  served  upon  the  goods  of  the  house,  at 
tlie  suit  of  an  upholsterer;  so,  the  house  being  en- 
•irely  unfurnished,  he  was  obliged  to  seek  new 
I  »!gings,  where  he  continued  a  full  quarter  without 
hearing  of  his  wife. 

Quarll,  hoping  his  wife  had  left  him  in  good  ear- 
nest, indulges  himself  with  the  thoughts  of  being  a 
third  time  delivered  from  the  greatest  incumbrance 
Jiat  can' involve  a  man  ;  wondering  how  he  could  so 
Jtren  fall  into  the  same  snare.  "  Three  wives," 
OHid  he,  •'  in  three  years!  and  everyone  equal 
,  la^o«s,  though  of  a  different  nature!  The  first  a 
Ali()re,of  whom  I  was  most  luckily  rid. by  accident: 
Ju-  second  a  proud,  lazy,  indolent  creature  ,  she  by 
itrdtdgem   is  secured  :    and   the   third   a  conceited 


THE  ENGLISin  HERMIT.  125 

jealous  wretch  ;  to  her  ostentation  I  owe  my  deli- 
verance. Well,  now  I  am  once  more  free,  I'll  take 
care  how  I  hamper  myself  again  :"  so  he  makes  a 
strong  resolution,  let  what  would  happen,  to  live 
single  from  that  time  ever  after. 

But  his  resolution,  though  ever  so  strong,  cannot 
avert  Fate's  irrevocable  decree  :  a  fourth  wife  is 
allotted  him,  which  will  bring  upon  him  more  vex- 
ation and  trouble  than  he  has  yet  gone  through;  his 
peace  will  not  onl^  be  broken,  and  his  ease  dis- 
turbed, but  his  life  must  be  in  jeopardy. 

One  evening  that  he  was  diverting  his  colonel, 
and  the  rest  of  his  club,  with  singing,  at  the  tavern, 
as  he  usually  did  once  a  week,  the  landlady  (who 
was  then  in  company)  much  praised  his  voice  and 
skill:  the  gentlemen  took  that  opportunity  to  pro- 
pose a  match  between  Quarll,  who  went  for  a  ba- 
chelor, and  her,  being  a  widow  :  all  the  company 
liked  the  proposal;  and  earnestly  urged  on  the  match. 

Quarll,  being  a  brisk,  handsome,  genteel  young 
man,  which  qualifications  have  a  vast  ascendant 
upon  the  sex,  especially  on  widows,  made  a  consi- 
derable impression  upon  the  hostess;  who,  being 
already  above  forty,  was  willing  to  intermix  her 
supernumerary  years  with  those  of  a  husband  of  a 
lesser  age  :  so,  turning  to  jest  w  hat  she  heartily 
wished  to  be  in  earnest,  answers,  in  a  joking  man- 
ner, that  Mr.  Quarll  doubtless  had  before  that  time 
made  a  better  choice  ;  so  would  hardly  agree  to 
their  proposal.  "  A  better  choice,"  said  the  gen. 
tieman,  "  I  deny  that  : — here  is  a  handsome  jolly 
woman,  a  noble  house  well  accustomed,  a  cellar 
well  stocked  with  good  wine,  and  bags  doubtless 
well  filled  with  money  :  I  say  he  cannot  make  a 
better  choice,  nor  shall  he  make  any  other  ;  so  here's 
to  its  good  success  : "  thus  he  drinks  to  her,  whs^  in 
ajoking  way,  puts  it  about.  The  glass  having  been 
roufid,  "  Now,  Mr.  Quarll,"  said  the  colonel,  "  let 
us  have  a  love  song  to  conclude  the  matter." 


126  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

Quarll,  who  thought  the  gentlemen  had  been 
but  in  jest,  in  his  heart  wished  it  conjd  turn  to 
earnest.  The  notion  of  a  good  establishment,  and 
prospect  of  considerable  advantage,  having  blanched 
over  those  great  obstacles  his  present  low  circum- 
stances, and  elevated  condition,  made  him  overlook, 
be  did  all  he  could  to  forward  what  had  been  pro- 
posed :  so  having,  according  to  request,  gi>en  the 
land-lady  a  love-song,  he  goes  and  salutes  her  w  ith  a 
hearty  kiss;  who,  smiling,  asked  him  whether  he 
thought  she  was  to  be  purchased  with  a  song  ?  to 
■which  he  replied,  the  song  was  only  to  express  the 
thoughts  of  his  heart,  which  he  ottered  to  purchase 
her  love.  "  Indeed,"  said  she,  in  a  pleasant  manner, 
"  I  do  not  know  what  your  thoughts  may  be ;  but  I 
never  heard  more  agreeable  expressions." 

"  Well  then,  widow,"  .said  these  gentlemen,  "yoa 
cannot,  in  gratitude  and  good  manners,  but  answer 
them  kindly." 

"  Indeed,  gentlemen,'*  said  she, "  I  can  say  no 
more,  but  that  they  are  mighty  pretty  words  and 
charmingly  sung." 

"  Well,  then,"  replied  the  colonel,  "  fU  say  the 
rest  for  you.  The  lover  having  expressed  his  pas- 
sion in  so  soft  terms  and  engaging  a  way,  you  can- 
not, without  doing  violence  to  your  good  nature, 
deny  him  m  hat  he  requests  in  so  melting  a  manner ; 
nor  shall ;  I  say  the  word."  Which  was  confirmed  by 
all  the  company.  To  which  slie  making  no  answer 
it  was  taken  for  granted.  So  the  marriage  being 
concluded  on,  the  next  day  was  fixed  upon  for  the 
performance  thereof;  being  resolved  not  to  adjourn 
till  it  was  over,  they  besjjoke  a  splendid  suppev,  and 
80  spent  the  night  merrily. 

The  wedding  was  kept  all  the  week,  during  which 
time  every  gentleman  was  profuse  in  his  expenses, 
as  an  encouragement  to  the  new-married  couple, 
whose  trade  increased  daily. 

Their  prosperous  beginning    &eemed  to  promise 


THE   ENGLISH    HERMIT. 


I  lar 


a  happy  life,  living  in  love  and  peace  at  home,  and 
being  in  good  repute  and  credit  abroad ;  but  the 
same  fate,  which  all  along  haunted  poor  Quarll,  is 
still  at  his  heels;  his  bliss  was  but  a  blast.  His 
eloped  wife  unfortunately  happened  to  go  by  as  he 
was  going  out:  she  had  liim  immediately  in  her  eye, 
which  as  speedily  conveyed  him  to  her  heart.  The 
addition  which  a  charming  new  suit  of  clothes  he 
then  had  on  made  to  his  natural  handsomeness  put 
out  of  her  mind  the  cause  of  that  disdain  she  had 
conceived  for  him,  and  turns  it  into  a  more  pas- 
sionate love  than  ever.  She  cannot  live  any  longer 
from  him  ;  she  must  have  him  w  ith  her  at  any 
rate,  and  will  not  rest  till  she  finds  out  his  lodgings ; 
whence  she  resolves  to  wash  all  sorrow  away  with 
her  tears,  and  settle  him  again  in  her  arms.  So  she 
straight  goes  to  the  tavern  she  saw  him  come  out  of, 
supposing  it  might  be  a  house  he  constantly  used, 
on  purpose  to  inquire  where  he  lodged. 

Tlie  new  wife,  who  was  then  in  the  bar,  to  whom 
she  applied,  perceiving  in  her  some  sort  of  disorder, 
was  very  inquisitive  to  know  her  business  ;  in  which 
the  poor  Moman  refusing  to  satisfy  her,  she  told  her 
that  he  lived  there,  and  that  she  was  his  wife;  and 
therefore  the  fittest  to  know  her  concern.  At  these 
most  dreadful  words,  she  falls,  like  one  thunder- 
struck, oil  the  ground,  deprived  of  all  her  senses  ; 
and,  for  a  considerable  time,  lies  as  though  bereft 
of  life. 

This  dull  scene  turns  the  new  wife's  passion 
into  commiseration ;  and  she  pities  that  misfortune 
which  in  lier  mind  she  before  condemned  as  a 
crime.  "  This,"  said  she,  "  is  a  true  sign  of 
love,  which  a  harlot  is  not  capable  of:  I  cannot 
blame  her  for  loving  him,  but  rather  condole  her 
mislortiine."  So,  having  ordered  fair  water  and 
hartshorn  drops  to  be  brouglit,  gave  her  some  in  a 
glass  of  water,  which  in  a  small  time  fetched  her  a 
iitUe  to  life ;   who,  recovering,  cried  out    "  Had  I 


128  THE   E!SGLlSfl   HERMIT. 

not  been  so  bewitched  as  to  go  from  him,  he  would 
not  have  left  me."  These  words  in  a  moment  turut-d 
the  officious  condoler  into  a  revengeful  rival,  who 
immediately  imagined  she  had  lately  lived  with  him 
as  a  mistress,  and,  doubtless,  would  endeavour  to 
do  the  same  again:  so,  giving  her  hand  (wiiich  she 
kindly  held  before)  a  scornful  toss  from  her,  "  Why, 
you  vile  woman,"  said  she,  "  would  you  have  him 
to  live  for  ever  in  whoredom?" — "  You  judge  me 
wrong,  madam,"  replied  the  poor  afflicted  woman; 
"  I  am  his  lawful  wife."  So  produces  her  certi- 
ficate (which  she  happened  to  have  about  her)  : 
"Which  caused  almost  as  much  disorder  in  tfee  be- 
holder as  she  herself  was  lately  in. 

Having  recovered  her  speech,  which  the  late  sur- 
prize had  obstructed,  she  asked  lier,  in  a  violent 
passion,  why  she  had  been  so  base  as  to  give  him 
the  opportunity  to  come  and  cheat  her,  by  her  leav- 
ing him;  for  she  was  his  wife  also?  To  which  she 
answered  that  slie  could  not  justify  her  going  from 
him,  though  indeed  she  had  great  provocation,  he 
not  proving  the  man  she  took  him  to  be.  "  What!" 
replied  slie  in  the  bar,  "  was  he  not  man  enough  for 
j'ou  ?  I  think  you  are  very  hard  to  please :  however, 
since  the  deceit  made  yon  leave  him,  why  do  you 
disturb  yourself  about  him?  He  has  not  deceived  me, 
nnless  it  be  in  having  a  wife  before:  but  as  you  left 
him  of  your  own  accord,  he  had  no  more  to  do  with 
you." 

"  No ! "  replied  she,  in  a  passion ;  "  but  he  shall 
find,  and  so  shall  you,  that  I  have  to  do  with  him," 
aud  so  went  away. 

It  being  tiien  about  noon,  his  usual  time  to  come 
home  from  market,  she  went  into  a  public  house 
opposite  to  the  tavern,  there  to  wait  his  return, 
which  was  a  little  after.  As  soon  as  she  saw  him, 
she  gave  him  a  call  over. 

The  sudden  and  unexpected  sight  of  the  only  ob- 
stacle to  the  happiness  he   then  enjoyed  was  most 


THE  KNGUSH  HERMIT.  129 

terribly  shocliing  to  him  :  he  wished  he  had  met  with 
death  to  have  missed  her;  but  to  no  purpose  :  she  had 
him  in  her  eye,  and  was  fully  resolved  to  have  him 
in  her  arms  ere  she  went;  and  as  he  did  not  come 
as  quick  at  her  call  as  her  impatience  required,  she 
attempted  to  go  over  to  him  ;  but  Quarll,  who  knew 
her  fiery  temper,  was  afraid  she  should  break  out 
in  a  passion  in  the  street ;  which  would  have  ex- 
posed him,  and  brought  it  to  his  new  wife's  know- 
ledge, being  near  home  :  so  he  hastens  over  to  the 
house  she  A\as  in,  to  prevent  her  coming;  and,  judg- 
ing his  beginning  to  upbraid  her  with  her  elopement 
would, ^1  some  measure,  moderate  her  railing  at 
him,  he  tells  her,  as  he  enters  the  room — "  I  hope, 
madam,  you  have,  by  this  lime,  found  a  man  more 
to  your  mind."  This  was  sufficient  to  provoke  a 
milder  temper  to  reproach  him  with  his  adulterous 
marriage,  of  which  she  was  too  certain  :  hers  is  but 
a  fault,  but  his  a  crime.  Bi>t,  as  reproaches  are  not 
proper  nie:uis  to  advance  a  reconciliation,  which 
was  her  intent,  she  bridles  her  passion,  and  forces 
hernature  to  a  submission;  so  throws  herself  at  his 
feet,  and  falls  a  weeping;  owning  she  had  com- 
mitted a  fault,  for  which  she  heartily  repented,  and 
promised  to  atone  by  her  future  behaviour  ;  calling 
Heaven  to  witness  her  chastity  during  her  most 
unhappy  separation. 

Quarll,  beinK  of  a  compassionate  temper,  was 
soon  made  flexible  by  her  tears :  so  takes  her  np  by 
the  hand,  who  as  soon  fell  into  his  arms,  incapable 
of  speaking  for  weeping;  but  Quarll,  who  was  in 
haste  to  be  gone,  being  waited  for  at  home,  it  being 
about  his  time  of  dinner,  complied  with  the  poor 
afflicted  woman's  eying  and  sobbhig,  whose  chief 
request  was  that  herwoiild  only  see  her  home  tl.at 
time  :  which  he  i  resently  granted,  to  be  quit  of  her  ; 
so  ordered  a  coach  to  be  called. 

His  new  wife,  at  home,  being  uneasy  at  his  stay- 
ing beyond  his  time,  came  to  the  door  to  look  w  he- 


130  THE  ENULISB  HKRMIT. 

tlier  she  could  see  him  come.  At  that  most  unlucky 
time  he  was  handing  his  other  wife  into  the  coach  ; 
which  she  iinloi  innately  spying,  ran  over,  as  swift 
as  a  hawk  flies  after  his  prey,  and  pulls  him  back 
by  the  lappet  <jf  liis  coat,  as  he  was  stepping  into 
the  coach  after  her.  The  disorder  this  second  sur- 
prize put  liiin  in  obliged  him  to  go  again  into  the 
house  he  just  came  out  of,  where  she  immediately 
followed  hiin,  raving  and  railing  as  much  as  the 
provocation  and  her  passion  did  allow,  leaving  in 
the  coacli  his  former  wife ;  who,  by  that  second  ter- 
rible surprize,  was  again  struck  speechless,  and  like 
one  bereft  uf  sense. 

The  roachinan,  having  waited  some  time,  being 
impatient,  calls  in  the  house,  desiring  the  gentleman 
to  make  liasie,  or  else  to  allow  him  for  waiting;  at 
whicli  the  new  wife  comes  out  in  a  violent  passion, 
and  bids  him  be  gone,  for  he  was  not  wanted. 
*'  What  shall  I  do  wiih  the  gentlewoman  in  my 
coach  ?"  said  he;  "you  had  best  take  care  of  her  ; 
she  is  not  well ;  or  tell  me  where  I  shall  carry 
her." 

"  Carry  her  to  the  devil,  an  you  will,"  said  she ; 
and  so  went  in. 

"  You  may  carry  her  there,"  j-eplied  the  surly 
coachman;  "  you  best  know  the  way."  So  goes  to 
the  coach  an<l  shakes  her  till  she  comes  to  herself: 
then,  taking  her  up  in  his  arms,  "  1  am  biil  to  carry 
you  to  the  clevil,"  sai<l  he;  "  but  I  believe  you  are 
able  to  go  yourself;  so  I  will  set  you  down  here  that 
you  may  take  your  own  time."  Having  set  her 
down,  he  then  drives  away.  Tiiere  being  a  milliner's 
shop  just  by,  she  goes  in,  desiring  leave  to  sit 
awhile,  till  she  was  able  to  go.  J>he  had  scarce  been 
there  three  minutes,  but  she  sees  her  husband  haml- 
ing  his  new  wife  over,  very  complaisantly  ;  which 
so  exasperated  her  that  she  fully  resolved  upon  re- 
venge ;  cht)osing  be  should  be  hanged,  rather  than 
her  rival  should  enjoy  him  :  so  went  directly,  and 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  131 

took  ont  a  warrant,  which  she  immediately  served, 
and  had  him  before  a  justice  of  the  peace,  who 
committed  liim  forthwilli  to  Newgate. 

The  following  sessions  happening  to  be  extraordi- 
narily great,  by  the  vast  number  of  criminals,  his 
trial,  and  several  more,  were  put  off  until  the  next; 
so  that  he  was  confined  at  the  time  he  used  to  send 
the  money  for  his  wife's  board  in  the  country :  and 
not  daring  to  employ  any  acquaintance  in  that  affair, 
lest  they  should  inquire  into  the  occasion  of  his 
sending  that  money,  he  desired  one  who  often  came 
to  visit  a  prisoner  to  do  liim  that  favour,  which  he 
readily  promised,  but  did  not  perform;  so  that  the 
people  in  the  country,  who  were  used  to  be  paid  a 
quarter  before-hand,  were  a  quarter  in  arrear: 
which,  with  the  boarder's  pressing  importunity  to 
come  up  to  London,  made  them  at  last  resolve  upon 
it;  where,  being  arrived,  they  immediately  inquired 
after  the  unfortunate  Quarll,  whose  imprisonment 
they  soon  heard  of,  as  also  of  the  cause  thereof. 

This  did  not  a  little  exasperate  the  already  suffi- 
ciently-provoked inquisitress  ;  who,  presently  ima- 
gining, with  good  reason,  that  his  confining  her  in  the 
country  was  merely  for  that  intent,  resolved  to  pro- 
secute him  according  to  the  utmost  rigour  of  the  law; 
wondering  who  that  good  person  was  that  had  him 
apprehended  :  so  she  went  and  consulted  her  friends, 
who  advised  her  not  to  let  her  husband  know  of  her 
being  in  town  till  his  trial  came  on;  and  then  she 
woidd  know  the  prosecutor,  and,  at  her  own  dis- 
cretion, back  tiie  prosecution. 

In  the  mean  time,  his  first  wife,  who  had  lately 
been  dismissed  Ohe  knight  who  kept  her  being  not 
long  since  married  to  a  vast  fortune),  having  heard 
of  Quarll's  being  in  Newgate,  went  straiglit  to  visit 
him.  Her  grief  and  his  surprise  at  her  coming 
stopped,  for  some  time,  the  utterance  of  both  their 
minds:  at  last,  Quarll,  who  had  just  reason  to  tax 
her  as   the  author   of  his  present  misfortune,  re- 

1 


Bt  THE  KXGLISH  HERMIT. 

proached  her  with  her  leaving  him,  which  was  the 
original  cause  thereof.  The  innocent,  yet  guilty, 
SalJy,  wliose  inclination,  disposition,  and  resolu- 
tion, had  been  violated,  related  the  dismal  acconnt 
of  her  fatal  ravishment,  and  pleaded  her  cause  with 
Buch  a  prevailing  eloquence,  as  new-kindled  his 
former  love,  and  made  him  (though  the  suflerer) 
give  it  on  her  side. 

Being  thoroughly  reconciled,  and  having  spent 
some  hours  in  expressing  both  their  griefs,  they  at 
last  parted,  after  a  thousand  cordial  embraces  ;  and, 
as  she  was  enabled,  by  the  settlement  the  knight 
had  made  upon  her,  she  supplied  him  w  ith  money  and 
necessaries  during  his  confinement  in  Newgate  ;  and 
■was  with  him  constantly  every  day,  almost  from 
morning  till  night ;  and,  when  he  was  called  upon 
trial,  she  attended  in  tiie  court,  more  concerned 
his  than  if  she  herself  had  been  arraigned. 

The  sessions  being  commenced,  he  was  tirst  called 
to  the  bar  :  his  indictment  being  read,  he  desired  to 
be  heard  by  his  coimsel,  which  was  granted.  The 
deponent  having  proved  her  marriage,  required  the 
prisoner  at  the  bar  should  be  obliged  to  live  with 
her,  or  allow  her  a  sufficient  maintenance,  as  being 
Lis  first  wife :  at  which  she  whom  he  kept  in  the 
country  starts  up — "  That  belongs  to  me,"  said  she; 
"  I  am  the  first  wife :  "  so  produces  her  certificate. 
A  third  wife  appearing,  startles  both  the  j  idges 
and  the  prisoner,  who  thought  her  secure. 

Sally,  who  till  then  had  been  silent,  seeing  the 
priority  of  marriage  so  much  pleaded  for,  thought  it 
might  be  worth  her  while  to  claim  it,  being  hei 
right,  which  she  may  chance  to  turn  to  the  prisoner's 
advantage  ;  so  addressing  the  bench — "  My  lords," 
Baid  she,  "  I  did  not  tiiink  to  apply  for  justice  ;  but 
seeing  these  women  contending  for  that  which  be- 
longs to  neither  of  them,  I  think  myself  obliged  to 
claim  my  right :  I  am  the  first  wife,  an  piea3e 
your  lordships." 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  133 

"  How!  a  fourth  wife,  and  indicted  but  for  two!" 
said  the  judges  in  a  great  surprise. 

"  Why,  my  lords,"  replied  an  old  surly  judge 
npon  the  bench,  "  if  truth  be  known,  he  has  half  a 
score  ;  I  see  it  in  his  looks  :  these  smock-faced  young 
fellows  are  so  admired  by  the  women  that  they 
have  not  the  power  to  refuse  any  thing."  Sally, 
who  thought  to  do  the  prisoner  service  in  taking 
the  privilege  of  first  wife  into  her  own  hands,  find- 
ing the  success  of  her  good  intent  quite  reversed, 
heartily  repented  appearing,  and  would  have  with- 
drawn, but  that  the  judges  told  her  she  was  now 
become  the  prosecutrix,  and  was  obliged  to  go  on 
in  the  prosecution.  This  caused  such  a  disorder  in 
her,  who  imagined  she  should  be  the  unfortunate 
occasion  of  his  being  cast,  that  she  was  ready  to 
swoon.  Quarll's  counsel,  perceiving  her  disorder, 
imagined  it  might  proceed  from  a  regret  of  the  mis- 
chief she  had  done;  so  put  her  in  a  way  to  invali- 
date her  deposition. — "  Now,  madam,"  said  the 
counsel,  "  I  very  much  question  whether  you  can 
make  your  assertion  good  ;  pray  produce  your  cer- 
tificate ;  you  can  do  us  no  hurt  else."  Sally,  over- 
joyed to  hear  that,  said — "  She  had  none  ; "  choosing 
to  undergo  the  greatest  disgiace,  rather  than  he 
should  come  to  the  least  hurt. 

"  I  thought  as  much,"  said  the  counsel. 

"  Well,  well,"  replied  the  surly  judge,  "  she  may 
have  lost  it:  where  was  was   you  married,  child?" 

"  At  Chatham,  my  lord,  I  think,"  answered  she, 
very  much  discountenanced. 

"  At  Chatham,  did  you  say'?"  replied  the  counsel. 
"  I  doubt  yours  has  been  a  sailor's  wedding,  over  » 
pot  of  drink  ;  a  man's  wife  till  the  next  voyage,  and 
any  body's  when  he  is  gone.  Your  lordship  sees 
how  this  case  stands." 

"  Yes,  yes,"  ans^vered  a  judge;  "  if  she  is  first 
wife  that  way,  I  dare  say  he  is  not  her  first  husband, 
by  many."    So  she  was   hissed  out   of   the  court. 


l34  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

Then  the  judge  addressing  the  next  pretender— 
"  I  hope,"  says  he,  "  yOurs  will  not  prove  a  sailor's 
wedding,  as  her's  did." 

"  A  sailor's !  No,  my  lord,"  replied  the  second 
wife;  "I  have  witnesses  enough  to  mine:  my  lady 
Firebrass,  with  whom  I  lived,  and  her  two  daugh- 
ters, saw  3ne  fairly  married  in  St.  Martin's  church." 

"  How  came  it,"  said  the  judge :  "  yo«  did  not 
sue  him  before  he  married  the  third  wile  ?  You 
shonld  have  prevented  his  cheating  any  other  poor 
woman." 

"  Why,  my  lord,"  said  she,  "  I  knew  nothing  of 
it ;  he  kept  me  a  prisoner  in  the  country,  at  this 
good  woman's  house,  where  he  decoyed  me,  under 
pretence  of  being  careful  of  me  :  I  must  go  into  the 
country  for  a  month  or  two,  to  take  the  air !  but 
when  he  had  me  there,  there  he  kept  me  ever  since, 
chargmg  the  people  of  the  house  not  to  suffer  me 
to  come  up  to  London,  nor  yet  to  go  out;  pretend- 
ing I  was  mad,  because  I  complained  I  was  not 
well." 

"  A  very  pretty  device :"  j-eplied  the  old  judge. 

"  Yes,  my  lord,"  cried  out  all  the  women  in 
the  court  (wlio  were  come  in  great  numbers  to 
hear  a  trial  about  a  rape,  committed  by  a  Quaker 
npon  a  maid  of  fifty  years  of  age),  '•  and  a  very  bad 
precedent,  if  not  severely  punished:  should  this  be 
suffered,  a  poor  wife  will  not  dare  to  be  out  of  order, 
or  complain,  in  hopes  to  be  made  much  of,  for  fear 
her  husband,  under  colour  of  giving  her  the  pleasure 
of  the  country  air,  shall,  when  he  has  got  her  there, 
confine  her,  and  so  marry  whom  he  pleases  at 
London." 

The  judges,  to  quell  their  clamour,  were  obliged 
to  call  to  them,  and  promise  them  it  should  be  no 
precedent ;  and  that  they  might  be  sick  at  will,  and 
groan  at  tlieir  pleasure,  and  also  accept  of  their 
husbands'  kindnesses  when  offered. 

The  court  being  silenced,  the  proceedings  went 
on,  and  several  of  the  judges  having  been  spoken  to 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  135 

by  some  of  Qiiarll's  particular  friends,  who  were 
related  to  some  of  them,  they  were  more  favourable 
in  their  judgment,  all  but  the  old  surly  judge,  with 
whom  no  interest  had  been  made. 

The  three  wives  then  present  having  proved  their 
marriage,  the  prisoner  at  the  bar  was  asked  what  he 
had  to  say  in  his  own  defence. 

Qiiarll^vvho  thought  his  wife  in  the  country  was 
secure  frmii  coming  against  him,  not  having  given 
his  counsel  instructions  concerning  her,  was  obliged 
to  plead  himself.  "  My  lords,"  said  he,  "  the  lirst 
deponent  against  me  being  run  mad,  and  thereby 
untit  for  human  society,  I  was  obliged  to  think  of 
some  retirement  for  her,  as  it  is  necessary  for  people 
in  her  case." — "  Unfit  for  human  society  !"  replied 
the  second  wife,  in  a  great  fury  ;  and  was  going  on 
in  the  same  temper,  but  was  bid  to  be  silent,  and  he 
to  proceed.  **'  So,  my  lords,"  said  he,  "  I  proposed 
the  country,  as  the  most  pleasant  and  wholesome 
place,  as  also  that  which  suited  her  indisposition 
best,  being  always  ambitious  to  imitate  the  quality, 
who  commonly  go  into  the  country  in  the  sum- 
mer; which  made  her  accept  the  otfer:  there,  my 
lords,  i  boarded  her  with  very  honest  and  suffi- 
cient people,  in  a  handsome,  creditable,  and  pleasant 
house." 

"A  pleasant  house!"  replied  she;  "a  perfect 
hovel. ' — "  There,  my  lords,  I  provided  her  every 
thing  she  could  want  or  desire,  as  her  landlady,  here 
present,  can  testify."  His  cotmsel,  who,  by  what 
he  had  said,  had  taken  sufficient  hints  to  proceed, 
ook  the  plea  out  of  his  hand,  and  went  on  :  '*  An't 
please  your  lordship,"  said  he,"  since  by  her  mad- 
ness,"— "  My  madness!  "  said  she  interrupting  the 
counsel;  "I  desire,  ray  lords,  this  good  woman 
(with  whom  I  have  lived  many  years)  may  be  sworn, 
whether  she,  in  all  that  time,  did  see  or  discern  the 
least  symptoms  of  madness  in  me."  -"  Indeed,"  re- 
plied the  old  woman,  "  1  have  often  seen  you  in  the 


IM  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

vapours,  bnt   I  cannot  say   I  ever  saw  yoa  what 
they  say  raving  mad,  but  once." 

"  My  lord,"  said  the  prisoner,  "  I  beg  this  letter, 
which  she  sent  me  a  week  after  she  was  there,  may 
be  read,  and  then  your  lordships  may  judge  whe- 
ther I  do  her  wrong." 

Orders  being  given  from  the  bench,  the  letter  was 
read.  The  old  woman  hearing  her  house  so  despised, 
where  a  well-bred  dog  would  rnn  mad,  if  kept  in  ; 
and  then  her  husband  and  herself  compared  to  oxen 
and  cows,  was  not  a  little  displeased.  "  My  house, 
Madam,"  said  the  old  woman,  "  is  not  so  despicable 
neither,  as  that  comes  too  :  I'm  sure,  there's  hardly 
a  better,  or  more  convenient,  within  ten  miles  round 
it.  As  for  the  room  you  lay  in,  no  gentlewoman,  in 
her  right  senses,  but  would  be  contented  with,  espe 
cially  in  the  country;  I  must  be  obliged  to  side 
with  your  husband  there:  and  for  my  husband  and 
me  to  be  reckoned  no  better  than  brutes,  you  have 
little  reason  to  say  so;  for  no  woman  can  be  used 
with  more  humanity  than  you  have  been  :  and  as 
for  your  being  confined,  you  never  ^^ere  shut  up 
any  where,  but  always  had  the  liberty  of  walking 
about  our  ground  ;  only  indeed,  I  would  not  consent 
you  should  trudge  to  London,  as  you  often  did  otter 
to  do."  Tiie  old  woman,  having  done  speaking, 
Quarll's  counsel  put  it  to  the  bench  \\hclher  the 
prosecutrix  oiiglit  to  be  accounted  in  her  right 
senses.  The  judges  having  given  their  opinion  that 
she  was  frantic,  the  old  judge  being  displeased  at 
their  answer,  asked  them,  whether  a  man  or  wo- 
man's being  frantic  (which  but  few  in  this  town  are 
more  or  less)  does  empower  either  to  marry  again  ; 
and  if  they  will  allow  that,  why  did  he  marry  a 
third  ?     The  second  is  not  mad." 

"The  second,"  replied  the  counsel,  "  eloped,  my 
lord,  and  was  from  her  husband  half  a  year  ;  and  'lis 
to  be  questioned  w  helher  she  would  ever  have  come 
near  him,  had  she  not  accidentally  found  this  oppor- 
nity   to  trouble  him." 


THE  KNOLISa  HERMIT.  137 

"  Tis  a  plain  case,  my  lord,"  said  another  judsre, 
"  the  prisoner  is  guilty  of  tlie  crime  he  stands  in- 
dicted for:  yet  1  don't  see  bist  that  there  is  room 
for  favour.  His  constitution  perhaps  maj^  require  a 
woman  for  the  maintenance  of  his  health,  and  his 
inclination  is  averie  against  vile  women  :  besides, 
my  lord,  we  don't  hear  that  he  did  cohabit  or  cor- 
respond with  more  than  one  at  a  time;  and  never 
sought  a  supply  till  he  was  destitute.  In  my  opinion, 
my  lord,  he  may  be  favoured  a  little."  The  ill- 
natured  judge  told  them,  very  surlily,  that  the  fact 
was  plain,  and  that  he  was  tried  according  to  the 
laws  of  his  country  ;  and  must  expect  to  sutier  the 
penalty  of  those  laws  :  but  he  could  see  no  room 
for  favour,  unless  his  Majesty  (Charles  the  Second) 
would  graciously  be  pleased  to  show  it  him  ;  and  it 
was  entirely  out  of  his  i)wii  power  :  so  sums  up  the 
evidence,  and  refers  it  to  the  jury. 

The  jury  went  out  accordingly  ;  and,  after  having 
staid  some  time,  brought  in  their  verdict—"  Death." 
Sally,  who  was  just  by,  no  sooner  heard  the  terrible 
news,  but  fainted  away,  and  was  oblieed  to  be  car- 
ried out  of  court.  The  three  wives  likewise  went 
away,  upbraiding  and  reproaching  one  another  with 
being  the  fatal  cause  of  losing  their  husband,  wish- 
»ng  one  another  never  to  be  relieved  by  man ;  and 
go  parted.  But  Sally,  as  soon  as  recovered,  went 
back  to  the  prisoner  again,  and  staid  with  him  till 
the  court  broke  up,  and  then  was  allowed  a  coach  to 
carry  him  to  Newgate,  and  attended  him  there  all 
that  night. 

As  soon  as  the  keepers  came  in  the  morning,  he 
calls  for  pen,  ink,  and  paper,  which  were  brought 
him  ;  and  wrote  the  following  letter  to  Lis  colonel: 
"  May  it  please  your  honour, 

I  am  now  under  the  terrible  sentence  of  condemnation  ;  I 
need  not  tell  you  upon  what  account,  my  case  lieinif  too  welJ 
inOM-n  to  the  world  already:  but  as  you  have  hcstowed  go 
mriny  particular  favours  upon  mc  hitherto,  this  emboldens  lue 
oafjQ  more,  in  thii  mv  extreme  necessity,  to  rely  upon  yoar 


138  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

goodness.  It  is  trne,  mv  merit  cannot  lay  claim  to  the  least 
ir.:irk  of  your  esteem  ;  but  it  is  your  generosity  prompts  me 
to  Uc^  my  life  at  your  liaiids,  wliicli,  if  you  preserve,  siiall 
always  be  devoted  to  your  service,  by  your  unfortunate  iium 
ble  servant,  "Fuilif  Quabll." 

As  soon  as  he  had  finished,  he  delivers  it  to  his 
dear-beloved  Sally,  and  desires  her  to  carry  the 
same  to  his  colonel :  Sally,  joyful  to  serve  him, 
takes  the  letter,  and  away  she  flies.  Bein<<  come  to 
the  house,  she  delivers  tiie  letter  to  the  colonel ; 
who,  having  opened  and  read  it,  tuhi  her,  That  she 
might  assure  him  he  would  do  all  that  lay  in  his 
power  to  serve  him :  so  Sally,  expressing  her  grati- 
tude, retired  to  carry  the  news  to  her  htisband. 
When  she  came  to  the  prison  she  found  him  read- 
ing very  seriously,  leaning  upon  his  hand,  with  tears 
in  his  eyes:  she  stood  some  time  to  look  at  him; 
but  finding  he  never  stirred  his  head,  nor  moved  his 
eyes,  she  went  softly  up  to  him,  and  spoke  to  him  : 
he  no  sooner  heard  her  voice,  but  he  starts,  and 
looks  like  one  just  awake  from  a  dream  ;  and  then 
burst  into  tears,  and  could  not  speak  a  word  ;  which 
Sally  seeing,  could  not  forbear  weeping;  and  fell 
upon  his  neck,  desiring  him,  with  all  tt  nderness,  to 
stop  the  torrent  ;  for  she  had  some  joyful  news  to 
tell  him.  "  What  joyful  news,"  says  he,  "  can  you 
bring  a  man  under  my  wretched  circumstances? 
Can  any  thing  elevate  the  mind  whom  Heaven 
itself  has  contrived  to  depress  ?  Am  not  I  the  very 
out-cast  and  scorn  of  Providence  ?  Have  not  I  been 
unfortunate  from  my  infancy  ?  And  why  will  you 
still  add  to  my  misery  1  Tis  you  that  now  make 
me  wretched  :  had  you  not  so  compassionately 
assisted  me  in  this  my  dismal  calamity  with  so  much 
tenderness,  I  then  willingly  should  have  left  this 
hateful  world,  without  thinking  of  you  :  but  why 
must  I  make  you  the  wretched  partner  of  my  mis- 
lortunes  ?     'Tis    that  adds  to   my    uneasiness.     Oh 

that  I  had  not  seen  you  in  these  my  last  moments!" 

Saily  interrupting  him,  said 


THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  139 

"  Come,  talk  not  of  last  moments  ;  yon  may  yet 
enjoy  many  happy  years ;  your  colonel  has  promised 
to  nsehis  utmost  endeavours  to  preserve  your  life." 

"  I  don't  flatter  myself  with  any  thins;  of  that 
kind,"  says  he,  "  but  if  such  a  thing  should  happen, 
I  am  fully  resolved  not  to  tarry  long  in  England, 
which  has  brouiht  upon  me  so  many  (lire  mishaps." 

The  colonel  was  as  good  as  his  word  ;  for  he  loved 
Quarll  extremely  well  :  and  therefore,  as  soon  as 
J^aliy  was  gone,  he  orders  his  coach  to  be  got  ready, 
and  away  he  posts  to  my  Lord  Daiiby,  who  had  a 
great  influence  at  court  at  that  time,  and  who  was 
his  particular  friend.  When  he  came  thither,  his 
lordship  was  not  stirring  ;  so  he  wailed  till  he  got 
up  ;  wlio,  as  Soon  as  come  down,  cries  out,  "  So, 
colonel,  what  brings  you  here  so  soon  ?  Did  yon 
come  to  breakfast  with  me?"  The  colonel  seeing 
him  so  facetious  and  pleasant,  tohl  him  his  message. 
My  lord,  as  soon  a-  he  heard  it,  answered,  "That, 
upon  his  honour,  he  certainly  would  grant  his  re- 
quest ;"  and  made  him  stay  to  breakfast  with  him. 

As  soon  as  breakfast  was  over,  he  took  leave  of 
his  lordship,  and  away  he  comes  to  bring  the  tidings 
to  Quarll,  whom  he  found  alone,  Sally  having  just 
left  him.  The  colonel  told  him  he  was  sorry  to  see 
him  there,  with  other  compliments  usual  in  such 
cases;  and  related  to  him  the  success  he  had  with 
my  Lord  Danby:  so  desired  him  to  be  of  good  cheer. 
Quarll  fell  at  his  leet,  and  expressed  liis  gratitude  in 
the  most  thankful  terms  imaginable;  telling  him  his 
life  should  always  be  at  his  service.  His  colonel, 
raising  him  up,  told  him  he  was  very  well  satisfied; 
and,  after  a  little  more  conversation,  left  him. 

Sally,  in  the  mean  time,  was  not  idle ;  for  she 
went  anil  bought  a  rich  piece  of  plate,  and  presented 
it  to  the  Recorder,  that  he  might  favour  Quarll  in  bis 
report  to  his  Majesty  ;  which  had  the  desired etfect: 
for,  when  the  death  warrant  came  down,  he  was 
excluded :  and  in  a  few  days  after,  my  Lord  Danby 


J40  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

procured  his  Majesty's  most  gracious  pardon  ;  which 
Lis  colonel  brought  him  with  great  joy. 

Quarll  being  discharged  out  of  Newgate,  resolved 
not  to  tarry  long  in  England  ;  and  told  his  beloved 
Sally  that  he  must  now  leave  her,  for  he  had  made 
a  vow  not  to  tarry  in  Britain.  She  endeavoured  to 
dissuade  him  from  his  intentions;  but,  finding  it  to 
no  purpose,  desired  she  might  accompany  him.  He 
asked  iier  why  she  desired  to  be  wretched,  telling 
her  he  was  doomed  to  perpetual  misciy;  but  she 
was  resolutely  bent  to  follow  him  wherever  he  went; 
and  accordingly  sold  what  the  knight  had  settled 
upon  her,  in  order  to  carry  the  money  with  her. 

Quarll  hearing  of  a  ship  bound  for  the  South 
Seas,  which  in  her  return  was  to  touch  at  Barba- 
does,  the  captain  of  her  having  been  first  mate  of 
the  ship  to  which  Quarll  had  formerly  belonged; 
this  encouraged  iiim  to  venture  the  voyage.  Ac  • 
cordingly,  he  went  to  the  commander,  in  order  to 
agree  with  him  about  it.  The  captain,  after  some 
talk,  began  to  call  to  mind  their  former  acquaint- 
ance, but  wondered  to  see  him  so  much  altered  as 
to  his  condition,  Qivarll  being  very  handsomely 
dressed,  and  his  behaviour  much  better  polished 
than  formerly  :  so  desired  him  to  give  him  an  ac- 
count how  this  strange  alteration  had  happened, 
and  by  what  means  he  came  to  this  good  fortune. 
"  Good  fortune!  do  you  call  it?"  says  Quarll;  "  I 
suppose  then  you  look  upon  men  by  iheir  outward 
appearance  :  but,  did  you  know  the  world  as  well 
as  I  do,  you  would  judge  the  contrary.  "  Now," 
adds  he,  "  I'll  give  you  a  short  account  of  my  past 
life;  and  thin  I'll  leave  you  to  say  whether  I  am 
not  rather  the  perfect  scorn  and  mock  of  fortune:" 
so  related  to  him  his  past  misfortunes;  which  Quarll 
told  him  in  so  moving  a  manner  that  it  almost 
drew  tears  from  the  captain's  eyes.  As  soon  as  he 
had  made  an  end — "  Well,"  says  the  captain,  "  I 
inought  that  my  way  of  living  brought  upon  me  more 


,       THB  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  141 

troubles  than  landmen  are  subject  to;  for,  since 
I  saw  you,  I  have  been  shipwrecked  twice;  once 
upon  the  coast  of  Guinea,  where  I  lost  the  ship  and 
cargo,  and  but  live  men  saved  ;  the  other  time,  home- 
ward  bound  from  the  East  Indies,  a  violent  storm 
arose,  and  drove  us  upon  the  coast  of  France, 
where  with  great  ditficulty  we  cast  anchor,  in  order 
to  refit  our  ship,  wliich  was  very  much  damaged  in 
the  late  storm.  But  about  twelve  o'clock  the  same 
night  we  came  thither,  a  most  violent  hurricane 
blew  in  upon  us,  broke  our  cables  and  drove  us 
ashore  ;  where  again  I  lost  the  ship  and  cargo,  but 
all  the  men  saved.  Thus  I  think  I  have  been  un- 
fortunate; but  since  they  are  past  never  think  of 
them:  we  shall  have  a  pleasant  voyage ;  and  as  you 
say  j'ou  have  a  mind  to  reside  at  Barbadoes,  A\here 
I  mast  touch  in  my  return,  I'd  have  you  lay  out 
your  money  in  the  woollen  manufacture,  and  cutlery- 
ware,  which  are  very  good  commodities  in  those 
parts."  Qi'«ill  thanked  him  for  his  advice,  and 
parted  with  liim. 

Away  then  he  goes  to  Sally,  and  told  her  what 
he  had  been  doing,  and  whither  he  intended  to  go. 
Sally  answered  what  was  his  pleasure  should  be 
hers;  and  that  she  would  be  a  partner  in  his  for- 
tunes or  misfortunes,  go  whither  he  woulcf.  So 
Quarll  went  and  bought  the  goods  which  the  cap- 
tain advised  him  to,  and  sent  them  on  board  ;  and 
soon  after  followed  with  himself  and  w ife. 

They  had  not  been  long  at  sea,  before  his  darling 
Sally  fell  sick  and  died,  to  his  inexpressible  grief; 
wishing  ten  thousand  times  he  had  died  with  her. 
He  began  to  be  extremely  melancholy,  took  no  rest, 
and  would  eat  no  victuals.  Tiie  capta»n  was  afraid 
that  he  would  die  also  ;  and  did  all  he  could  to  divert 
him ;  but  w  as  a  long  time  before  he  could  bring 
him  to  his  former  temper. 

They  sailed  on  with  a  side-wind  for  the  sp>?ce  of  ?. 
month;  though,  it  changing  full  in  their  teeth,  aud 


M3  THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT. 

very  high  withal,  obliged  them  to  cast  anchor,  in 
order  to  lie  by  till  the  viind  did  serve  ;  but  seeing 
themselves  ninde  upon  by  a  pirate,  they  were  obliged 
to  weigh  their  anchor,  and  make  the  best  of  their 
way  before  tiie  wind,  in  order  to  avoid  being  taken 
by  those  infidels,  who  pursued  them  from  four  of  the 
clock  on  Friday  morning,  till  ten  at  night  the  fol- 
lowing Sunday  ;  at  which  time  there  arose  a  storm; 
the  sky  looked  very  black,  tlie  wind  being  at  north- 
west, and  clouds  began  to  rise  and  move  towards 
them,  having  hung  all  the  morning  in  the  horizon: 
8o  that  they  took  in  their  top-sails,  and  furled  their 
inain-sail ;  the  sea  ran  very  short,  and  broke  in  upon 
their  deck  :  however,  they  put  right  before  the 
M'ind,  and  sailed  so  fortliree  weeks,  when  they  made 
Cape  Horn  :  they  had  no  sooner  got  round  the 
Cape,  but  the  wind  veered  to  the  south,  and  it  fell 
flat  calm  ;  which  continued  for  two  days,  when  the 
wind  sprung  up  at  south-west,  and  they  scudded 
before  the  wind  very  swiftly,  and  made  an  island 
whose  name  none  of  them  knew,  the  ship  having 
never  been  the  coast  before  ;  but  there  they  found 
wood,  water,  and  herbs  of  several  sorts,  some  seals 
and  sea-fowls.  Here  they  refreshed  themselves 
for  four  days,  and  then  weighed  anchor,  the  wind 
being  fair  at  full  south,  and  traded  at  several  ports 
on  the  coast  of  Peru,  Ciiili,  and  Mexico.  From 
Port  Aqnapulco  they  sailed,  havirg  a  fresh  breeze 
at  NK.E.  They  had  not  sailed  above  one  day, 
before  the  wind  veered  to  the  south-west,  and  blew 
a  violent  gale;  and  there  being  a  great  sea,  so  that 
their  ship  took  in  a  great  deal  of  water,  the  wind 
continuing  two  days  increasing  to  a  very  great 
storm,  which  held  for  one  day  and  two  nights  more  ; 
during  which  lime  they  perceived  themselves  near 
Bome  rocks.  The  storm  rather  increasing,  and  it 
growing  dark,  they  despaired  of  saving  the  ship; 
and  as  the  niiun  yard  could  not  lower,  the  ship's 
tackling  being  disordered  by    the  violence  of  the 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  143 

•form,  Qiiarll,  being  bold  and  active,  took  a  hatchet 
which  tumbled  about  the  deck,  and  ran  up  the 
Bhrowds,  in  order  to  cut  down  what  stopt  the 
working  of  the  main-yard  ;  but,  by  that  time  he  was 
got  up,  there  came  a  sea,  which  dashed  tiie  ship  to 
shatters  against  the  rock,  and  with  the  violence  of 
the  shock  flung  Quarll,  who  was  astride  upon  the 
main-yard,  on  the  top  of  the  rock ;  wliere,  having 
the  good  fortune  to  fall  in  a  clili,  he  was  hindered 
from  being  washed  back  again  into  the  sea,  and 
drowned,  as  every  body  was  that  belonged  to  the 
ship. 

Quarll,  in  a  dismal  condition,  remained  the  snc- 
ceeding  night  in  the  clitt",  being  continually  beaten 
with  the  dashing  back  of  the  sea  ;  and  being  both 
bruised  and  numbed,  pulled  otf  his  clothes,  which 
were  dropping  wet,  and  spread  them  in  the  sun; 
and,  being  over-fatigued,  laid  himself  down  on  the 
smoothest  place  of  the  rock  he  could  find,  being 
quite  spent  with  the  hardships  he  had  undergone, 
an<i  slept  while  his  clothes  were  drying. 

His  sleep,  though  very  profound,  was  not  refresh- 
ing:  the  danger  he  had  been  lately  in  so  ran  in  his 
mind  that  grim  death  was  ever  before  his  eyes, 
which  constantly  disturbed  his  rest;  but  nature, 
who  wanted  repose,  would  be  supplied,  though  it 
be  broken.  Having  slept  a  few  hours,  he  awakes 
almost  as^nuch  fatigued  as  before,  and  faint  for 
\frant  of  nourishment,  having  taken  none  for  thirty- 
six  hours  before  :  so,  liaving  looked  upon  his  clothes, 
which  he  perceived  were  not  qtiite  dry,  he  turned 
the  other  side  to  the  sun,  and  laid  himself  down  to 
sleep  again;  but  still  nothing  but  horror  entered  his 
mind ;  his  soid  was  continually  harrassed  with  tne 
dismal  apprehensions  the  eliects  of  the  late  storm 
had  impressed  upon  him.  He  dreamt  he  was  in  a 
terrible  tempest,  and  the  ship  he  was  in  dashed 
backwards  and  forwards  through  the  waves  wi'i^ 
prodigious  violence,  the   clouds   pouring  down  vast 


144  THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT 

Btreams  of  liquid  ^re,  and  the  raging  ocean  all  in 
flames  In  this  dismal  condition  he  knew  not  what 
to  do ;  but,  spying  some  land,  as  he  thought,  at  a 
little  distance  from  the  ship,  he  was  endeavourina; 
to  get  thither;  but  not  daring  to  trust  the  sea,  which 
he  imagined  was  like  a  caldron  of  oil  in  a  blaze, 
resolved  to  try  whether  he  could  not  jump  ashore  ; 
bnt,  jnst  as  he  was  going  to  leap,  he  saw  a  horrid 
frightful  monster,  with  glaring  eyes,  and  open 
mouth,  rush  from  the  boiling  flames,  and  make  at 
him  to  devour  him ;  which  "scared  him  out  of  his 
Bleep. 

When  he  awoke,  he  was  very  much  terrified 
with  his  dream,  and  stared  about  him  in  a  frighted 
manner,  expecting  every  minute  some  creature  to 
devour  him:  but,  taking  a  little  courage,  put  on 
his  clothes,  which  by  tliis  time  were  quite  dry.  He 
then  looks  about  him;  but  alas!  could  see  nothing 
but  the  dreadful  ettects  of  the  late  tempest,  dead 
corpses,  broken  planks,  and  battered  chests  floating, 
and  such  aspects  which  at  once  filled  him  with  terror 
and  grief. 

Turning  from  those  shocking  objects,  which  pre- 
sented to  his  eyes  the  dreadful  death  he  so  lately  had 
escaped,  he  sees  at  the  other  side  the  prospect  of 
one  more  terrible,  hunger  and  thirst,  attended  with 
all  the  miseries  that  can  make  life  biirthensome. 
Being  seized  with  the  terror  of  the  threatening  evil, 
he  turns  again  towords  the  sea,  and  looking  on  the 
dead  corpses,  which  the  sea  now  and  then  drove  to 
the  rock,  and  back  again — "  Oh,  that  I  was  like  one 
of  you!"  said  he,  "  past  all  dangers  !  I  have  shared 
■with  you  in  the  terrors  of  death:  why  did  I  not  also 
partake  with  you  in  its  relief?  But  why  should  I 
complain  who  have  so  much  reason  to  be  thankful  ? 
Had  I  been  cut  off,  when  the  cares  of  saving  this 
worthless  carcase  intercepted  me  from  seeking  the 
salvation  of  my  soul,  I  should  not  have  had  the  pre- 
sent opportunity  of  taking  care  of  it."     So,  having 


THE   ENGLISH    HERMIT.  145 

returned  llianks  for  his  late  deliverance,  he  resigns 
himself  to  Providence,  on  whom  he  fully  relies  ; 
climbs  up  the  rock,  and,  being  come  to  the  topjSees 
land  at  tiie  inside,  bearing  both  trees  and  grass. 
*'  Heaven  be  praised  I"  said  he,  "  I  shall  not  perish 
npon  these  barren  rocks."  So  made  a  shift  to  go 
down  to  it,  the  weather  then  being  calm. 


BOOK  III. 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF  QUARLL  S  WONDERFUL  SHIFTS,  AND 
fcURPRIZlNf.  MANNER  OF  LIVING;  OF  THE  MIRA- 
CULOUS ACTS  OF  PROVIDENCE,  ANU  OF  THE 
STRANGE  EVENTS  WHICH  HAPPENED  IN  THE 
ISLAND  SINCE  HIS   BEING  THERE. 

Being  come  to  the  other  side  of  the  rock,  he  finds 
at  ti.e  bottom  of  it  a  narrow  lake,  which  separated 
it  from  thf  land  :  therefore;  pulling  ott"  his  clothes, 
the  water  being  but  shallow,  he  wades  over  with 
them  in  hisarnis;  and,  dressing  himself,  walks  up  a 
considerable  way  in  the  island,  withoit  seeing  any 
human  creature,  or  perceiving  any  sign  of  its  being 
inhabited,  which  struck  a  great  damp  to  his  spirits. 
He  walks  it  over  and  over,  cros?-ways  and  long- 
ways;  yet  could  see  nothing  but  monkeys,  strar^^e 
beasts,  birds,  and  fowls,  such  as  he  had  never  seen 
before. 

Having  ranged  himself  weary,  he  sat  down  nnder 
a  cluster  of  trees,  thai  made  an  agreeable  arbour  : 
the  place  being  pleasant  and  cool,  made,  as  it  were, 
for  repose,  and  he  being  stiU  very  much  fatigued, 
prompted  him  to  lie  down  ar.-«l  sleep  ;  during  which, 
his  mind  is  (outinu^illy  alarmed  with  the  frigiitful 
aspect  of  grim  Deaih.  Sometimes  he  fancies  him- 
self striving  wiih  tlie  rolling  waves,  stretching  out 
his  arms  to  catch  hold  of  a  plank  tossing  by  ;  which, 
just  fome  at,  is  beaien  back  by  the  roaring  billows, 
whose  terrible  noise  pronounces  his  death  ;  at  ether 
times  he  thinks  himself  astride  upon  a  piece  of  mast, 
laboariBg  to  keep  himself  on   and  of  a  sudden  washed 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  147 

away,  and  sunk  down  by  a  bulky  wave  ;  on  every 
side  of  him  men  calling  for  help;  others  spent  and 
past  speaking;  here  some  floating  that  are  already 
perished,  and  there  others  expiring:  thus  in  every 
object  seeing  liis  approaching  fate. 

Being  awaked  out  of  that  irksome  and  uneasy 
sleep,  he  falls  into  as  anxious  and  melancholy 
thoughts.  "  I  have,"  said  he,  "  escaped  being 
drowned,  but  how  shall  I  avoid  starving?  Here's 
no  food  for  man.  But  why  should  I  despair?  Did 
not  Nebuchadnezzar  live  upon  grass  for  several 
years,  till  restored  to  his  nation?  Cannot  I  do  the 
same  for  a  few  days?  by  which  time.  Providence, 
who  has  hitherto  protected  me,  may  raise  me  some 
means  to  get  hence."  So,  being  entirely  resigned, 
he  walked  about  so  see  the  island,  vhich  he  found 
surrounded  with  rocks,  at  the  bottom  of  which 
there  was  a  small  lake,  which  was  fordable  in  most 
places,  so  that  he  could  with  ease  wade  over  to  the 
rock  ;  which  he  did  at  every  side  of  the  island,  to 
see  if  he  could  perceive  any  ship,  whereby  he  might 
get  away :  but,  seeing  none,  and  it  drawing  towards 
night,  he  returns,  and  employs  the  remainder  of  the 
day  in  looking  for  the  most  convenient  place  for 
him  to  pass  away  the  approaching  ni^ht ;  and  having 
fixed  upon  one  of  the  highest  trees,  he  gets  up  as  well 
as  he  could,  fearing  some  wild  beast  might  devour 
him  if  he  slept  below;  where,  having  returned 
thanks  to  heaven  for  his  late  great  deliverance,  he 
commits  himself  to  its  care;  then  settles,  and  falls 
to  sleep,  and  slept  till  hunger  waked  him  in  the 
morning,  having  dreamt  over-night  of  abundance  of 
victuals,  which  he  would  fain  have  come  at,  but  was 
kept  ofl  by  a  cross  cook,  who  bid  him  go  and  fish 
for  some :  to  which  he  answered,  that  he  was  ship- 
wrecked, ard  had  nothing  to  fish  withal.  *'  Well 
then,"  said  the  cook  to  him  again,  "  go  where  thoa 
wast  like  to  lose  thy  life,  and  there  thou  shalt  find 
wherewithal  to  support  it." 

l3 


148  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

Being  awaked,  he  makes  reflections  upon  his 
dream,  %vhich  though  he  imas^incd  might  proceed 
from  the  emptiness  of  his  stomach,  it  being  cus- 
tomary for  people  to  dream  of  viciuali- \\hen  tliey  go 
to  bed  iiiingry,  yet  at  that  time  it  may  prove  ominous. 
So,  driven  by  necessity,  and  led  by  cnriositj',  he 
went  to  the  same  side  of  the  rock  he  had  been  cast 
upon;  wlieie  having  stood  several  hours  without 
seeing  shipping,  or  aught  that  might  answer  his 
dream,  the  air  coming  from  tiie  sea  being  pretty 
sharp,  and  he  faint,  having  taken  no  manner  of  food 
for  near  three  <lays,  he  gave  over  all  hopes  of 
relief.  Thus  submitting  himself  to  the  will  of  Hea- 
ven, which  he  supposed  decreed  a  lingering  death  to 
punish  him  for  his  past  sins,  he  resolves  to  return 
Mhere  he  lay  the  night  before,  and  there  wait  for  his 
doom  ;  but  being  stopped  by  a  sudden  noise  which 
issued  from  a  creek  in  the  rock,  not  far  from  where 
he  stood,  he  had  the  curiosity  to  go  and  see  what 
occasioned  it/ 

Being  come  to  the  place  he  heard  the  noise  pro- 
ceed from,  he  sees  a  fine  large  cod-fish  near  six  feet 
long,  dabbling  in  a  hole  in  the  rock,  where  the  late 
storm  had  cast  it. 

One  under  condemnation  of  death,  and  just  ar- 
rived at  the  ilace  of  execution,  could  not  be  more 
rejoiced  at  the  coming  of  a  reprieve  than  he  was  at 
the  sight  of  this  fish,  having  felt  several  sick  qualms, 
forerunners  of  the  death  he  thought  he  was  doomed 
to.  "  Heaven  be  praised  !"  said  he,  "  here's  my  dream 
right :  where  Providence  rescued  my  life  from  the 
grin>  jaws  of  Death,  there  it  has  provided  me 
•wherewithal  to  support  it." 

So,  having  taken  otf  both  his  garters,  he  gets  into 
the  hole  where  the  fish  lay  ;  and,  having  run  them 
through  it's  gills,  he  iiales  it  out,  and  drags  it  after 
Lim,  being  heavy,  and  he  very  weak.  Going  along 
Le  finds  several  oysters,  muscles,  and  cockles  in  his 
■way,  wliich  the  sea  had  cast  up  and  down  the  rock ; 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  149 

and  having  a  knife  about  him,  he  sat  down  and  ate 
a  few  ;  so  refreshed  himself,  his  spirits  beiii?  ex- 
hausted for  want  of  food.  This  small  nutriment  very 
much  recruited  his  decayed  strength ;  and  the 
thoughts  of  his  supply  of  provision  having  dispersed 
the  dull  ideas  his  late  want  had  bred  in  his  mind,  he 
cheerfully  takes  his  (ish,  which  he  drains  with  much 
more  vigour  than  before  ;  and  filling  his  pockets  with 
salt  thai  was  congealed  by  the  sun,  which  he  found 
in  the  concavities  of  the  rock,  away  he  goes  to  the, 
place  where  he  lay  the  night  before,  in  order  to 
dress  some  of  the  cod-fish;  where  being  come,  he 
picks  up  a  parcel  of  dry  leaves,  and,  with  his 
knife  and  a  Hint,  struck  lire,  and  kindled  them: 
then,  getting  together  a  few  sticks,  made  a  fire  pre- 
sently, and  broiled  a  slice  of  his  fish  ;  of  which  he 
ate  so  heartily  that  it  itvercame  his  stomach,  being 
grown  weak  with  fasting.  Thus  sick  and  out  of 
order,  he  applies  to  the  helpless  resource,  which  was 
lying  down;  and,  having  mv.ch  fatigued  and  har- 
rassed  himsflf  with  hauling  the  heavy  fish  up  and 
down  the  rock,  he  fell  asleep  till  the  next  morning: 
during  which  time  his  rest  was  very  much  disturbed 
with  the  frightful  dream  of  being  attacked  by  a  ter- 
rible monster,  such  as  never  was  heard  of,  either  for 
bigness  orgrimness;  which  pursued  him,  till  having 
run  himself  out  of  breath,  lie  was  forced  to  lie  ex- 
posed to  his  fury;  but  was  prevented  being  devoured 
by  a  grave  old  gentlewoman  of  a  most  graceful  and 
majestic  countenance,  at  whose  sudden  appearance 
the  monster  fled.  Having  recovered  breath,  and 
strength  to  speak,  he  returns  the  old  lady  thanks  for 
his  deliverance,  and  begs  leave  to  wait  on  her  home, 
that  he  might  know  whither  to  come  and  pay  his 
constant  duty  to  her  for  this  her  late  great  kindness. 
To  which  she  answered  that  she  was  fixed  in  no 
particular  habitation,  but  dwelt  at  every  poor  man's 
house;  her  occupation  being  to  assist  the  helpless, 
but  not  the  slothful  and  negligent :   that   he  shoald 


150  THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT. 

see  her  again  before  it  was  long.  Meantime,  she  bid 
him  not  goon  in  evil  ways, but,  whenever  overtaken, 
not  to  despair;  for  she  was  always  at  hand  :  never- 
theless, she  would  not  have  him  too  depending.  And 
80  went  away,  leaving  him  very  easy  and  pleased  in 
his  mind  that  lie  had  escaped  such  vast  danger. 

Having  slept  quietly  the  remainder  of  the  nighty 
he  awoke  in  tlie  morning  pretty  fresh  and  hearty,  but 
very  much  disturbed  at  his  late  dream,  which  he 
feared  presaged  and  prognosticated  some  approach- 
ing evil;  but,  as  he  could  make  no  comparative  al- 
lusion of  the  old  lady,  who  rescued  him  from  the 
monster,  he  coi*cludes  it  must  be  an  inspiration  of 
Providence  (whom  the  grave  old  lady  did  personate 
in  the  dream),  who  lately  had  preserved  hira  from  a 
death  by  all  appearance  unavoidable,  to  keep  him 
from  despair  in  this  Ids  great  extremity,  promising 
to  be  at  hand  upon  occasion;  yet  would  not  have 
him  neglect  means  to  get  away  from  a  place  where 
want  threatens  liim.  For,  though  he  might  for  a 
•while  subsist  on  fish,  wherewith  he  may  be  supplied, 
being  surrounded  by  the  sea,  yet  he  could  not  im- 
agine which  way  he  could  be  furnished  with  clothes 
and  bed  against  the  winter;  for  want  of  which  he 
must  miserably  perish  wiih  cold,  unless  supplied  by 
some  such  dismal  accident  as  exposed  him  to  the 
want  thereof,  which  he  heartily  wishes  and  prays 
may  never  happen. 

Having  made  these  considerations,  he,  on  his 
knees,  returns  kind  Providence  his  hearty  thanks 
for  all  the  mercies  that  had  been  extended  to  him ; 
begging  the  continuance  of  its  assistance.  Then,  as 
he  took  directions  from  his  dream,  watching  the 
opportunity  to  get  away  from  that  melancholy  place, 
he  poes  to  the  other  side  of  the  rock,  to  try  if  he 
could  perceiyfe  any  shipping  in  sieht. 

The  wind,  being  pretty  liiiih,  fed  his  hopes,  that 
each  succeeding  hour  would  gratify  his  wishing  look 
with  that  object  the  j)recLding  could  not  bring  forth ; 


THE  ENOL..JM  HERMIT.  151 

bat  was  disappointed.  The  night  approaching,  kept 
back  all  piob.tbility  lor  that  time:  however, depend- 
ing on  better  success  the  next  day,  he  returns 
whence  he  came  ;  and,  being  hnn<:ry,  makes  a  fire, 
and  broils  another  slice  of  the  lish,  liien  lays  the 
rest  npon  broad  green  leaves,  and  strews  salt  thereon 
to  keep  it  from  spoiling,  then  goes  to  rest ;  and  as 
he  lay  undisturbed  the  night  before  under  the  trees, 
and  much  more  easy  than  a-top,  he  ventured  again, 
committing  himself  to  the  care  of  Providence. 

But  his  thoughts,  which  all  day  had  been  disturbed 
with  the  dread  of  those  hardships  he  must  probably 
undergo,  if  obliged  to  continue  there  all  winter,  so 
ran  in  his  mind  that  they  occasioned  ideas  suitable 
to '  those  he  had  formed  the  day  before  ;  and  cold 
being  the  greatest  of  his  fears,  it  is  also  the  principal 
subject  of  his  dream  ;  which  presented  to  his  imagin- 
ation that  he  was  in  a  spaciouSS  place,  paved  w  ith 
hail-stones  of  a  prodigious  bigness,  and  surrounded 
with  high  mountains  of  ice,  which  echoed  with 
shivers.  At  the  farther  end  thereof  he  saw  an  old 
man  resembling  Time,  as  he  is  commonly  painted, 
with  heaps  of  snow  and  hail  about  him,  and  himself 
very  busy  with  making  more  :  at  his  side  stood  a 
very  beautiful  woman,  whose  shape  and  make  was 
uncommon,  and  her  features  and  complexion  extra- 
ordinary ;  but  what  surprized  him  most  was  her 
having  three  pair  of  breasts,  wonderfully  handsome, 
and  curiously  placed,  which  seemed  to  adorn  her 
bosom  far  more  than  the  richest  stomacher  made  of 
diamonds  or  pearls  could  do  ;  so  that  what  in  other 
women  would  look  monstrous  was  in  her  an  addi- 
tion to  her  matchless  beauty. 

The  sight  of  that  most  perfect  and  complete  w<k 
man  warmed  his  blood,  which  the  coldness  of  the 
place  had  chilled,  and  tempted  him  to  come  nearer 
the  charmer.  As  he  advanced,  every  step  he  made 
seemed  to  add  strength  to  his  limbs,  and  vigour  to 
bis  life  ;  which  made   him  desirous  to  come   nearer 


1S2  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

to  the  person  from  whom  he  received  such  bene- 
ficial effluvia  ;  but  was  suddenly  stopped  by  the  old 
man's  turning;  towards  him  with  a  grim  and  surly 
countenance,  which  threatened  his  nearer  approach 
with  evil. 

Not  daring  to  stand  nearer,  he  stands  still,  won- 
dering what  business  that  most  charming  rreature 
could  have  with  that  surly  morose  old  fellow  ;  when 
listening  awhile,  he  perceived  she  was  asking  boons 
of  him  in  the  behalf  of  a  vast  number  of  all  sorts  of 
creatures  that  attended  her  at  some  distance  be- 
hind, wliich  he  refused  in  a  most  churlish  manner; 
and  as  slie  still  persisted  in  her  suit,  following  Lim 
np  and  down,  the  ill-natured  old  man  slily  steps  to 
the  frosty  mountain,  and  pulls  down  a  large  clod 
of  ice,  wliich  stopt  a  gap  therein,  whence  came 
out  a  creatuie,  made  and  featured  like  a  man,  but 
of  a  monstrous  siz^and  frightful  aspect;  his  exces- 
sive broad  cheeks  hanging  down  on  each  side  of  his 
long-piked  chin,  like  two  empty  bladders;  and  his 
preposterous  belly  hanging  down,  looking  just  like 
a  sail  witliout  wind.  That  monster  was  no  sooner 
out,  bat  he  had  orders  from  the  spiteful  old  man  to 
drive  away  the  woman,  and  all  her  attendants  ; 
which  word  of  command  was  no  sooner  given,  but 
it  was  put  in  execution.  Having  filled  his  shrivelled 
jaws  with  wind,  which  then  stood  out  like  so  many 
kettle-drums,  he  falls  a  blowing  upon  one  of  the 
hills  of  snow,  and  turns  it  into  a  tliick  shower, 
which  he  drove  with  violence  against  that  angel- 
like creature,  and  her  clients,  who  immediately  fled 
for  shelter. 

This  barbarous  treatment,  towards  the  most  deser- 
ving of  creatines,  put  him  in  ama/.e  ;  to  whom  the 
angry  old  man  (seeing  he  did  not  go  with  the  rest) 
came  ip  a  fury,  saying — "  Dost  thou  put  me  to  defi- 
ance '.  I'll  bury  thee  in  that  which  I  only  strewed 
over  them,"  and  went  to  lay  hold  of  him;  which 
caused  him  to  awake  in  a  wonderful  fright 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  153 

Being  risen,  he  made  reflections  upon  the  late 
dreams.  "  All  my  dreams,"  said  he,  "  have  ever 
proved  ominous:  and,  if  I  mistake  not,  this  must 
have  some  signification.  Certainly  this  old  man  is 
Time,  laying  up  a  store  of  frost  and  snow  against 
next  winter:  and  that  goodly  woman  is  Nature, 
who,  being  tender  over  all  her  creatures,  interceded 
for  moderation  :  and  his  surly  refusal,  and  rough 
usage,  prognosticate  a  forward  and  hard  winter,  to 
whose  severity  I  must  lie  exposed,  being  altogether 
unprovided. 

These  reflections  bred  various  melancholy  thoughts, 
which  almost  led  him  to  despair.  "  Oh  !"  said  he, 
"  that  I  was  but  a  mouse,  a  bat,  or  a  yet  meaner 
creature!  Then  should  I  be  below  the  cruel  perse- 
cutions of  Fate.  But  man,  who  was  created  in  the 
noblest  form,  endued  with  reason  and  understanding, 
animated  with  an  immortal  soul,  must  be  aimed  at 
as  the  only  mark  worthy  its  malignant  darts  !  But 
why  do  I  thus  rave  at  those  evils  we  are  the  authors 
of?  Had  man  continued  in  his  original  state  of  in- 
nocence, the  very  name  of  Fate  or  Fortune  would 
not  have  been  known.  Well,  since  this  is  the  pro- 
duct of  sin,  I  accept  this  black  lot  as  justly  coming 
to  my  share  ;  and,  humbly  submitting  to  Heaven's 
decree,  I  thankfully  take  this  dream  as  a  timely 
warning;  and,  in  imitation  of  those  creatures  repre- 
sented in  it,  I'll  provide  what  shelter  I  can  against 
bad  weather  comes." 

Accordingly,  first  he  begins  to  think  of  making 
himself  a  house  to  preserve  him  from  the  injuries 
of  the  weather;  but  having  nothing  to  make  it  of, 
nor  any  instrument  but  a  knife,  which  could  be  of 
little  service  to  him,  he  resolves  to  go  to  that  part 
of  the  rocks  where  he  was  shipwrecked,  to  see  if 
he  could  discover  any  thing  among  the  wreck  that 
might  be  serviceable  to  him;  and  therefore  takes  a 
branch  of  a  tree  along  with  him,  and,  coining  to 
the  place,  he  strips  himself,  and  goes  into  the  water. 


154  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

(the  water  being  low,  discovering  the  tops  of  several 
sharp-pointed  rocks)  and  gropes  along  with  his 
staff  for  sure  fooling,  wading  as  high  as  his  chin, 
diving  to  tlie  holtoni  frequently,  and  feeling  about 
with  iiis  hinds.  Tliis  lie  continued  doing  for  almost 
two  honrs,  but  lo  no  purpose,  not  daring  to  go  out  of 
liis  depih;  for  he  well  knew  that  he  coidd  do  little 
good  there,  because  he  could  discover  no  part  of  the 
ship,  not  so  much  as  the  mast,  or  any  of  the  rigging, 
but  fancied  she  lay  in  some  deep  hole,  where  il  was 
impossible  to  get  at  her. 

Thus  despairing,  and  fretting,  and  teazing  him- 
self, he  calls  to  mind  that  he  had  a  hatche'  in  his 
hand  when  he  was  cast  away,  and  thought  probably 
it  might  lie  in  that  cleft  of  the  rock  into  which  he 
was  thrown  ;  ihilhcr  he  went,  and,  looking  about, 
perceived  .something  like  the  handle  of  a  hatchet 
just  above  'he  surface  of  the  water  at  the  bottom  of 
the  rock  ;  and,  going  down  to  it,  took  it  up;  which, 
to  his  great  joy,  proved  to  be  the  very  thing  he 
wantefl. 

Having  got  his  tool,  he  dresses  himself,  and  goes 
on  to  the  i-^land  again,  intending  to  cut  down  some 
trees  to  make  himself  a  iuit.  Looking  about,  there- 
fore, for  the  properest  plants,  snd  taking  notice  of 
a  sort  of  treei  whose  branches,  bending  to  the 
ground,  took  root,  and  became  a  plant,  he  thought 
they  might  be  the  fittest  for  this  purpose,  and  cut  a 
sufficient  parcel  of  tiiem  to  make  his  barrack;  which 
was  fidl  business  for  him  that  day. 

The  next  morning,  having  paid  his  nsual  devo- 
tion, he  walks  out  again  to  look  a  pleasant  and  con- 
venient place  to  make  his  hut  or  barrack  upon.  He 
walked  several  hours,  and  could  hnd  none  more 
sheltered  from  the  cold  winds  than  that  where  he 
already  lay,  being  La  the  middle  of  the  island,  well 
fenced  on  the  north  and  east  sides  with  trees,  which 
Stood  VKry  tliick.  The  place  being  fixed  upon,  he 
hews  down  some  trees  that   grew  in  his  way,  and 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  155 

dears  a  spot  of  ground  about  twelve  feet  square, 
leaving  one  tree  standing  at  each  corner;  and,  with 
the  young  plants  he  provided  the  day  before,  filled 
the  distance  between  quite  round,  setting  them 
about  six  inches  asunder,  leaving  a  larger  vacancy 
for  the  door.  His  inclosure  being  made,  he  bends 
the  branches  a-top  from  both  sides,  and  weaves  them 
across  one  another,  making  a  cover  to  it ;  which 
being  something  too  thin,  he  laid  other  branches 
over,  till  tiiey  were  grown  lhicl<er.  Having  finished 
the  top,  he  goes  about  closing  the  sides  ;  for  which 
purpose,  taking  large  branches,  he  strips  off  their 
small  twigs,  and  weaves  them  between  tiie  plants  as 
they  do  for  sheep-pens ;  then  made  a  door  after  the 
same  manner. 

His  barrack  beinz  finished,  which  took  him  np 
fifteen  days'  hard  work ;  "  Now,"  said  he, "  here's  a 
house,  but  where's  the  furniture?  This,  indeed, 
may  keep  the  weather  from  me,  but  not  the  cold. 
The  ground  on  which  I  do  and  must  lie  is  hard, 
and  doubtless,  in  the  winter,  will  grow  damp  ;  which, 
with  want  of  covering,  may  occasion  agues  and 
fevers,  the  cholick  and  rheumatism,  and  twenty 
racking  distempers,  which  may  cause  me  to  repent 
my  having  escaped  a  milder  death." 

In  this  great  consternation  and  perplexity,  he  goes 
to  see  if  he  could  spy  any  shipping  riding  within 
sight  of  the  island.  As  he  was  wafking  along,  full 
of  heavy  and  dull  thoughts,  which  weighed  his 
looks  to  the  ground,  he  happened  to  find  a  sort  of 
high  grass  that  grows  but  here-and-there,  round 
some  particular  sort  of  trees,  of  which  he  never  took 
notice  before.  "  Heaven  be  praised  ! "  said  he,  "  I 
have  found  wherewithal  to  keep  my  poor  body 
from  the  ground,  whilst  I  am,  by  Providence,  doom- 
ed to  remain  here."  So  passes  on,  intending,  at  his 
return,  to  cut  down  a  sufticient  quantity  of  it  to  make 
mats  that  might  serve  him  instead  of  bed  and  bed 
clothes. 


ISO  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

Having  looked  himself  almost  blind,  without  see- 
ing the  least  prospect  of  wliat  he  desired,  he  con- 
cludes npon  going  to  cut  ilie  grass,  which  he  stood 
in  such  want  of,  and  spread  it  together  to  dry,  whilst 
the  weather  was  yet  warm.  Tliat  piece  of  work  kept 
him  employed  the  remainder  of  the  day,  and  best 
part  of  the  succeeding,  having  nothing  but  a  pocket- 
knife  to  cut  withal.  That  work  being  done,  want- 
ing a  tool  to  spread  and  turn  liis  grass,  lie  takes  a 
branch  off  the  next  tree,  which  having  stript  of  all 
the  small  ones  about  it,  all  but  part  of  that  at  the 
top,  being  forky,  made  a  tolerable  lork  ;  thus  being 
equipped  for  hay-making,  he  went  on  with  his  work  ; 
aid  as  he  was  at  it,  he  saw,  at  some  distance,  se- 
veral monkeys  as  busy  as  himself,  scratcliing  some- 
thing out  of  ihe  ground,  wliich  they  did  eat  upon 
the  spot,  and  carried  the  rest  to  their  home. 

His  hopes  that  those  roots  might  be  lor  his  use, 
those  creatures  being  naturally  dainty,  eating  no- 
thing but  what  ir.cn  may,  made  him  hasten  to  the 
placa  he  saw  them  scratching  at,  that  by  the  herb 
they  V-'ar  (which  they  tore  off)  he  might  find  out 
the  root. 

Having,  by  the  leaves  which  he  picked  off  the 
ground,  found  some  of  the  same,  he  dug  them  up, 
and  carried  them  to  his  barrack,  wliere  he  broiled  a 
slice  of  his  fish,  and  in  the  ashes  roasted  ihem,  which 
eat  something  like  chesnuts  done  in  the  same 
manner. 

This  new  found  out  eatable  much  rejoicing  him, 
he  returned  his  hearty  thanks  to  kind  Providence, 
that  had  put  him  in  a  way  to  provide  himself  with 
bread,  and  that  of  a  most  delicious  kind.  As  soon 
therefore  as  he  had  dined,  he  went  out  on  purpose 
to  dig  up  a  good  quantity;  but,  as  he  was  going  to 
the  place  where  he  had  taken  notice  they  grew 
pi-etty  thick,  he  sees  a  tortoise,  of  about  a  foot  over, 
crawling  before  him.  "  Heaven  be  praised!"  said 
he,  "  here's  what  will  supply  me  both  with  victuals, 


THE    ENGLISH    HERMIT.  157 

and  utensils  to  dress  it  in."  He  ran,  therefore,  and 
turned  it  on  its  back,  to  keep  it  from  getting  away, 
whilst  he  went  for  his  hatchet,  that  he  might  cut 
the  bottom  shell  from  the  top,  in  order  to  make  a 
kettle  of  the  deepest,  and  a  dish  of  tiie  flat  part. 

Being  tired  of  codfish,  he  dresses  the  tortoise,  an 
animal  seldom  eaten  but  upon  extremity,  the  flesh 
thereof  often  giving  the  flux.  Nevertheless  he  ven- 
tured upon  it,  and  liked  it  extremely,  some  part  of 
it  eating  very  much  like  veal;  which  at  that  time 
was  a  very  great  novelty  to  him,  having  eaten  no 
fresh  meat  for  a  long  time  before. 

Happening  to  eat  of  it  at  part  of  the  tortoise  which 
is  the  mo*t  feeding,  an  1  least  hurtful,  he  was  in  no- 
wise the  least  discomposed  ;  but,  having  boiled  it  all 
he  laid  by  the  remainder  to  eat  now  and  then  be- 
tween his  fish. 

Being  provided  with  a  boiling  utensil,  he  often 
had  change,  by  means  of  those  admirable  roots  so 
luckily  discovered ;  some  of  which  he  roasted  for 
bread,  others  he  boiled  with  salt  cod.  This  in  a 
great  measure  mitigated  his  misfortune,  and  softened 
the  hardship  he  lay  under;  so  that,  seeing  but  little 
prospect  of  changing  his  present  condition,  by 
getting  away  thence  yet  a-while,  he  tliinks  on 
means  to  make  it  as  easy  as  possible  whilst  he  re- 
mained in  it ;  for,  having  projected  a  bed,  and 
taking  the  grass,  which  by  that  time  was  dry,  he 
falls  to  work  ;  and  a  mat  being  the  thing  concluded 
upon,  he  twists  his  hay  into  ropes,  the  bigness  of 
his  leg;  then  he  cuts  a  pretty  number  of  slicks, 
about  two  feet  long,  which  lie  drives  in  the  ground, 
ten  in  a  row,  and  near  four  inches  asunder,  and  op- 
posite to  tiiem  such  another  row  at  six  or  seven 
feet  distance  from  the  first,  which  made  the  length 
of  his  mat ;  then,  having  fastened  one  end  of  his  rope 
to  one  of  the  corner  sticks,  he  brings  it  round  the 
other  corner  stick,  and  so  to  the  next  at  the  other 
end,  till    he  has  laid  his  frame  :   then  he   weaves 


158  THE  ENGLISH    HERMIT. 

across  shorter  ropes  of  the  same,  in  the  mannei 
they  make  pallions  on  board  with  old  cable-ends. 
When  he  had  finished  his  mat,  he  beat  it  with  a 
long  stick,  which  made  it  swell  up;  and  the  grass, 
being  of  a  soft  cottony  nature,  he  had  a  warm  and 
easy  bed  to  lie    n. 

The  comfort  and  pleasure  he  found  on  his  soft 
mat  (being  grown  sore  with  lying  on  the  ground  for 
the  space  of  a  month  or  more)  so  liberally  gratified 
him  for  the  time  and  labour  he  had  bestowed  in 
making  it  that  it  gave  him  encouragement  to  go 
about  another;  a  covering  being  the  next  necessary 
wanted  ;  for  tliough»the  weather  was,  as  yet,  pretty 
warm,  and  he,  in  a  great  measure,  seasoned  by  the 
hardships  he  had  gone  through  ;  yet  ihe  winter  ap- 
proaching, and  the  present  season  still  favourable 
for  him  to  make  provision  against  it,  he  goes  and 
cnts  more  grass ;  which  being  made  ready  for  use, 
he  lengihens  his  loom,  to  allow  for  rolling  up  at  one 
end,  instead  of  a  bolster,  and  makt:^  it  thicker  than 
the  first,  which  he  intends,  in  cold  weather,  shall 
lie  upon  him  instead  of  blankets. 

Being  provided  with  the  most  necessary  furniture 
he  wanted,  he  thinks  on  more  conveniences,  re- 
solving to  make  liimself  a  table  to  eat  his  victuals 
upon,  and  a  chair  to  sit  on.  Thus,  having  cut  se- 
veral sticks  about  four  feet  long,  he  drives  them  in 
a  row  a  little  way  in  the  ground  ;  then  takes  smaller, 
which  he  interweaves  between  :  having  made  the 
top,  he  sets  it  upon  four  other  sticks,  forky  at  the 
npper  end,  which  he  stuck  in  the  ground  at  one  side 
of  his  barrack,  to  the  height  of  a  table;  this  being 
done,  he  cuts  four  more  branches,  such  as  he  judged 
would  do  best  for  the  seat  and  back  of  a  chair, 
which  he  also  drove  in  the  ground  near  his  table; 
and  having  twisted  tlie  branches,  which  grew  to 
them,  with  each  other,  from  back  to  front,  and 
across  again,  he  weaves  smaller  between,  bottoming 
his  seat ;  w  hich  completes  the  furniture  of  hia  ha- 
bitation. 


THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  139 

That  care  being  over,  another  succeeds,  of  far 
greater  moment. — '*  Here's  a  (hyelling,"  said  he, 
"  to  shelter  me  from  the  weather,  and  a  bed  to  rest 
this  poor  body  of  mine;  but  where  is  food  to  support 
it?  Here  have  I  subsisted  near  one  nionlli  npon  a 
fish,  which  the  same  dreadftd  storm  that  took  away 
forty  lives,  sent  me  to  maintain  my  own.  Well, 
since  kind  Providence  has  been  pleased  to  preserve 
my  life,  preferable  to  so  many,  who  fatally  perished 
in  thai  dismal  accident,  1  am  bound,  in  gratitude, 
to  hold  it  precious;  and  since  my  fish  is  almost  gone, 
and  I  am  not  certain  of  more,  I  must  by  degrees  bring 
myself  to  live  upon  roots,  which  I  hope  will  never  be 
•wanting,  being  tlie  natural  product  of  this  islai.d  :  so 
I  must  eat  of  the  sniall  remnant  of  my  fish  but  now 
and  then,  to  make  it  hold  out  longer.  Dainties  or 
plenty  were  not  allotted  for  him  that  was  doomed 
to  slavery,  but  labour. and  haid  living;  and,  if  I 
meet  here  the  latter.  Heaven  be  praised,  1  have  es- 
caped the  worse;  I  can  take  my  rest,  and  stand  in 
no  dread  of  any  severe  inspector  and  taskmaster." 

Now  being  entirely  reconciled  to  the  state  of  life 
Providence,  on  whon)  he  fully  dependeil,  had  been 
pleased  to  call  him  to,  he  resolves  to  make  provision 
of  those  excellent  roots;  and  wilii  his  hatchet  he 
cuts  a  pieceof  a  tree,  wherewith  he  makes  a  shov»J, 
in  order  to  dig  them  them  up  with  more  ease.  With 
this  instrument  he  went  to  the  place  where  he  had 
observed  they  grew  tiiickest,  which  being  near  the 
monkeys'  quarters,  they  came  down  tmni  ott  their 
trees  in  great  numbers,  grinning  as  if  tiicy  would 
have  lloun  at  liLm  ;  which  iiihiK-  him  stop  a  wiiile: 
he  might  indeed,  with  his  instrument  in  his  h.ind, 
have  killed  several,  and  perhaps  dispirscd  tlie  rest: 
but  woidd  not.—"  Why,"  said  he,  "  slioidd  I  add 
barbarity  to  injustice?  It  is  but  natural  and  reason- 
able for  every  creature  to  guard  and  defend  tlieir 
own :  this  was  given  tlieni  by  Nature  lor  food, 
which   1  come    to   rob    them    of:  and  since  1  am 


IWJ  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

oblioed  to  get  of  them  for  my  subsistence,  if  I  am 
decreed  to  be  here  another  season,  I  will  set  some 
in  a  place  distant  from  theirs  for  my  own  use." 

Having  stood  still  a  considerable  time,  those  ani- 
mals, seoinf:  he  did  not  go  forward,  each  went  and 
scratched  up  for  itself,  afterwards  retiring  ;  giving 
him  the  opportunity  to  dig  up  a  few  for  himself: 
and  as  he  was  not  come  tn  the  place  where  they 
grew  thick,  he  laid  them  in  small  heaps  as  he  dug 
them  up  ;  whilst  those  sly  creatures  would,  whilst 
he  was  digging  up  more,  comedown  from  the  trees, 
where  they  stood  hid  among  the  leaves,  and  steal 
them  away  :  which  obliged  him  to  be  contented  for 
that  time  with  as  many  as  his  pockets  would  hold, 
resolving  to  bring  something  next  time  which  would 
contain  a  larger  quantity  ;  and  fearing  these  animals, 
which  are  naturally  very  cunning,  should  dig  them 
np,  and  hide  them,  he  comes  early  the  morning 
following  to  make  his  provision  :  and,  for  want  of  a 
sack  to  put  them  in,  he  takes  his  jacket,  which  he 
buttons  up,  and  ties  at  the  sleeves;  and  as  he  had 
observed  that  every  root  had  abundance  of  little 
offsets  hangin'^  at  it  by  small  fibres,  he  pulled  ofi  his 
shirt  also,  of  which  he  makes  another  sack  to  put 
them  in. 

Being  naked  all  but  his  breeches,  and  the  day 
being  pretty  hot,  he  thought  he  had  as  good  pull 
them  otf  too,  and  fill  them,  his  jacket  being  but 
short,  and  therefore  holding  but  few  :  taking,  there- 
fore, lii<  bundle  in  one  arm,  and  having  the  shovel 
in  the  other  hand,  he  goes  to  the  place  he  intended 
to  do  tiie  day  before  ;  and,  expecting  to  find  the 
same  opposition  as  he  did  then,  he  brought  with 
hlif  some  of  the  roots  he  had  dug  up  the  preceding 
ilay..  in  order  to  throw  them  amongst  those  animals, 
and  so  quiet  them.  But  to  his  great  wonder,  and 
as  great  satisfaction,  those  creatures  which  the  lime 
before  had  opposed  him  with  noise  and  offensive 
motions,    let    bim    now    pass    by    <juietly,  withotit 


THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  161 

offering  to  meddle  with  any  when  dug  np,  though 
he  had  laid  them  up  by  heaps  in  their  way,  and 
stood  at  a  considerable  distance  from  them. 

This  surprising  reverence  from  those  creatures 
set  him  upon  deep  reflections  on  what  could  be  the 
cause  thereof;  whether  it  might  not  proceed  from 
the  proximity  of  their  shape  and  his. — "  But  then," 
said  he,  "  my  stature  and  colour  of  skin  is  so  dif- 
ferent from  theirs,  that  they  cannot  but  distinguish 
I  am  not  of  their  kind.  No,  it  must  be  a  remnant  of 
that  awe,  entailed  by  Nature  upon  all  animals,  to 
that  most  noble  and  complete  master-piece  of  the 
creation  called  Man,  which,  now  appearing  in  the 
state  he  was  first  created  in,  and  undisguised  by 
clothes,  renew  an  image  of  that  respect  he  has 
forfeited  by  his  fatal  transgression,  which  ever  since 
obliged  him  to  hide  the  beauty  of  his  fabric  under  a 
gaudy  disguise,  which  often  renders  him  ridicu- 
lous to  the  rest  of  mankind,  and  generally  obnoxious 
to  all  other  creatures ;  making  a  pride  of  what  he 
ought  to  be  ashamed  of.  "Well,"  adds  he,  "since  my 
clothes  bred  the  antipathy,  I  will  remove  that  cause, 
which  will  suit  both  the  nature  of  those  animals 
and  my  own  circumstances."  From  that  time  he 
resolved  to  go  naked  till  the  hardness  of  the  weather 
obliged  liim  to  put  something  on. 

Having  picked  up  a  sulficient  quantity  of  offsets  to 
stock  about  two  acres  of  land,  he  returns  home, 
leaving  behind  him  a  considerable  number  of  roots 
dug  np  for  those  poor  animals,  which  attended  him 
all  the  time  he  was  at  work,  without  ottering  to 
touch  one  till  he  was  gone. 

Being  come  home,  he  fixes  upon  a  spot  of  ground 
near  his  habitation,  and  digs  it  up  as  well  as  he 
could  with  his  wooden  instrument,  in  order  to  sow 
his  seed  :  which  having  compassed  in  about  twenty 
days,  he  implores  a  blessing  upon  his  labour,  and 
leaves  it  to  time  to  bring  it  forth.  Thus  having  finish- 
ed the   most  necessary  work  about  his  barrack,  he 

If 


162  THE   ENGLISH     HERMIT. 

resolves  to  take  a  more  particular  view  of  the  i?lanrl, 
which  till  then  he  had  not  time  to  do;  and,  tHkiii'^  a 
long  slatl  in  his  hand,  he  walks  to  the  lake,  which 
parts  the  land  from  the  rock,  and  goes  alons;  the  side 
of  it  quite  round  the  island,  finding  all  ilie  way  new 
subjects  of  admiration.  On  the  left  hand  stood  a 
rampart  made  of  one  solid  stone,  adorned  by  nature 
with  various  forms  and  shapes,  beyond  the  power  of 
art  to  imitate  ;  some  parts  challenging  a  likeness  to 
a  city,  and  clusters  of  houses,  with  here  and  there  a 
higli  steeple  standing  above  the  otiier  buildings  ;  an- 
other place  claimins;  a  near  resemblance  to  a  distant 
squadron  of  men  of  war  in  a  ^ine  of  battle:  further, 
it  bears  comparison  with  the  dull  remains  oi  some 
sumptuous  editice,  ruined  by  the  often  repeated 
shocks  of  time,  inciting  the  beholders  to  condolence 
for  the  loss  of  its  former  beauty.  At  some  distance 
thence  the  prospect  of  a  demolished  city  is  pre- 
sented to  the  sight  ;  in  another  plate  large  stones 
like  sniall  mountains,  laid  as  it  were  atop  of  one 
another,  impress  the  mind  with  an  iilea  of  the 
tower  of  Babel  ;  and  on  the  right-hand  a  most  plea- 
sant land  covered  with  beautiful  green  grass,  like 
camomile,  and  here  and  there  a  cluster  of  trees  com- 
po-ing  most  a^reeabh  groves,  amongst  a  vast  number 
of  fine  lotty  trees  of  divers  heights  and  shapes,  which 
stood  more  distant,  whose  irregularity  added  much 
to  the  delightfulness  of  the  place. 

As  he  was  walking  on,  admiring  all  these  won- 
derful works  of  nature,  having  caught  cold  (not  being 
used  to  go  naked)  he  happened  to  sneeze  opposite  to 
a  plajce  in  the  rock,  which  hollowed  in  afitr  the 
manner  of  the  inside  of  some  cathedral,  and  was 
answered  by  a  muliitude  of  ditFerent  voices  issuing 
from  that  place.  The  agreeableness  of  the  surprise 
induced  him  to  rouse  those  echoes  a  second  time, 
by  giving  a  loud  hem;  which  was,  like  his  sneezing, 
repeated  in  ditterent  tones,  but  all  very  harmonious: 
again  lie  hemmed,  and  was  so  delighted  with  tb« 


THE   ENGLISH    HERMIT.  1C3 

repetition  that  he  could  have  spent  hours  in  the 
hearing  of  it.  "But  why  should  I,"  said  he.  "waste 
those  melodions  sounds,  so  fit  to  relate  the  Almighty's 
wonderful  works,  and  set  forth  his  praise  V  Imme- 
diately he  sung  several  psalms  and  hymns,  with  as 
much  emulation  and  devotion  as  if  he  had  been  in 
company  with  numbers  of  skilful  and  celebrated 
choristers. 

Having  spent  a  considerable  time  there  with  much 
pleasure,  he  proceeds  in  his  walk,  being  resolved  to 
make  that  his  place  of  worship  for  the  future,  and 
attend  it  twice  a  day  constantly. 

About  three  or  four  hundred  paces  farther,  having 
turned  on  the  other  side  of  a  jetting-out  part  of  the 
rock,  he  was  stopped  a  second  time  by  another  sur- 
prizing product  of  nature;  a  large  stone,  growing 
out  of  the  rock,  advancing  quite  over  the  lake  at  the 
bottom  of  it,  representing  something  of  a  human 
shape,  out  of  the  breast  whereof  issued  a  fountain  of 
exceeding  clear  water,  as  sweet  as  milk  ;  and,  when 
looked  at  fronting,  was  like  an  antique  piece  of  ar- 
chitecture, which  in  old  tiines  they  built  over  parti- 
cular springs;  and  on  the  other  side  appeared  as  if 
springing  from  the  nostrils  of  a  sea-liorse.  These 
three  so  very  different,  and  yet ,  riglitly  compared, 
likenesses  being  ottered  by  one  and  the  same  un- 
altered object,  made  him  curious  to  examine  what 
parts  of  every  resemblance  helped  to  make  out  the 
others  :  and,  having  spent  a  consideiable  time  in  i]/p 
examination,  he  found  every  tiling  which  the  front 
had  likeness  of  was  employed  in  making  the  side 
representation,  by  being  in  some  places  shortened, 
and  others  lengthened,  according  to  the  point  of 
sight. 

Being  satisfied  about  that  subject,  he  enters  upon 
another  as  puzzling.  The  basin,  in  which  the 
fountain  ran,  which  was  about  five  yards  distant 
whence  the  water  did  spiing,  being  but  about  nine 
feet  over  every  way,  without  any  visible  place  to 

u  2 


164  THE   ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

evacuate  its  over  compliment,  and  yet  keeping  the 
sarne  heii^ht,  withotit  diishing  or  running  over,  al- 
though ihe  stream  that  fell  into  it  r;tn  as  big  as  his 
wrist :  having  a  long  time  searched  into  the  cause, 
•without  any  satisfaction,  he  conjectures  it  must  make 
its  way  out  somewhere  under  ground  ;  so  went  on, 
till  he  came  to  the  pl.ice  he  had  begun  his  march  at, 
■which  ended  that  day's  work. 

Having  been  round  the  island,  which,  to  the  best 
of  his  judgment  was  about  ten  or  eleven  miles  in 
circumference,  of  an  oblong  form,  going  in  and  out 
in  several  places,  extending  from  north  to  south,  the 
south  end  near  twice  as  broad  as  the  opposite;  he  re- 
solves to  employ  the  next  day  in  viewing  the  inside. 
Then,  recommending  himself  to  Providence,  as  he 
never  failed  to  do,  both  morning  and  evening,  he 
goes  to  bed  ;  but,  not  being  sleepy,  the  over-active 
faculty  in  man  roves  from  one  subject  to  another. 
His  mind  runs  from  his  present  station  to  his  former, 
re-assuming  his  past  pleasures,  which  he  never  must 
hope  to  meet  again,  and  calls  in  all  the  evils  his 
present  condition  of  life  lays  him  exposed  to.  These 
dull  thoughts  quite  dislodge  his  late-born  hopes  of 
Heaven's  assistance,  and  shake  his  future  depend- 
ence on  Providence :  he  snarls  and  quarrels  with  his 
fate,  and  repines  at  his  condition ;  which,  not  being 
in  his  power  to  mend,  he  wishes  for  eternal  sleep,  to 
free  his  mind  of  tumults  and  cares,  which  crowd 
upon  him. 

Sleep  was  granted  him,  but  not  rest :  his  repining 
is  chastised  with  terrifying  dreams  of  the  punish- 
ment he  had  been  condemned  to;  all  his  past  troubles 
come  upon  him  in  the  most  grievous  and  shocking 
manner  they  could  appear;  his  raging  wives  at  once 
fall  upon  him,  exerting  their  utmost  malice  and  re 
venge,  which  he  cannot  avoid,  but  by  embracing 
either  an  ignominious  death,  or  a  severe  and  vile 
bondage.  Tliese  terrible  aspects  put  him  in  the 
same  pains  and  agony  as  if  already  feeling  the  as- 
signed torment. 


THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  165 

Having:,  in  his  dream,  with  hard  strngglines,  es- 
caped death,  he  finds  himself  in  an  exceedins;  hot 
country,  his  half-naked  bo(l>  continually  bending  to 
the  hard  and  drygfoiind,  grabbling  ronnd  a  nauseous 
weed  for  fulsome  worms ;  every  now  and  then 
lashed  by  a  cross  and  severe  task-master,  who  hur- 
ries him  to  work.  In  this  great  perplexity  he 
cries  out,  "  Oh,  that  I  had  ended  my  woful  days  at 
the  shameful  gibbet !  Sure  it  would  have  been  a 
milder  fate  !  "  At  which  he  awoke  in  such  a  con- 
sternation that  it  was  several  ininutes  before  he 
could  be  thoroughly  satisfied  it  was  but  a  dream. 
Having  recalled  his  dispersed  senses,  he  made  this 
reflection,  that  it  was  really  the  penalty  he  had  been 
sentenced  to,  and  by  Providence  preserved  from. 
Setting  then  his  present  condition  in  opposi- 
tion to  that,  he  acknowledges  his  ingratitude, 
for  which  he  secretly  repents,  and  on  his  knees, 
with  weeping  eyes,  asks  pardon,  imploring  the  con- 
tinuation of  Providence's  protection  ;  resolving,  for 
the  future,  never  to  think  or  wish  to  change  that 
state  of  life  it  had  pleased  heaven  to  place  him  in; 
wholly  dedicating  the  remains  of  his  days  to  God's 
worship.  Holding,  henceforth,  as  inestimable,  the 
happiness  of  being  freed  from  those  cares  wliirh 
daily  flew  on  them  who  are  concerned  with  the 
world,  which  might  cool  or  slacken  his  duty  to  so 
great  a  benefactor. 

Having  entirely  resigned  himself  to  the  will  of 
God,  he  casts  off  all  cares,  and  banishes  from  his 
mind  all  that  could  create  any  ;  resolving  to  employ 
those  hours  that  ran  between  the  intervals  of  tin^e 
he  had  dedicated  to  divine  worship,  in  the  contem- 
plation of  the  many  wonderful  works  of  nature, 
manifested  in  such  various  manners  all  over  the 
island. 

So  he  walks  along  the  land,  which  he  found  very 
level,  covered  with  a  delightful  green  grass,  and 
adorned    with    trees    of    divers    sorts,    shapes,   and 


160  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

height,  inhabited  with  several  sorts  of  curious  singing 
birds,  of  various  colours  and  notes,  which  enter 
tained  him  with  their  melodious  harmony.  In  some 
places  stood  a  cluster  of  trees,  composing  agreeable 
and  delightful  groves,  proceeding  from  only  one 
main  body,  whose  lower  branches,  being  come  to  a 
certain  length,  applied  to  the  earth  for  immediate 
nourisliment,  as  it  were,  to  ease  the  old  stem  that 
produced  them ;  and  so  became  a  plant,  and  did  the 
sar)^. 

Having  for  some  time  admired  the  agreeableness 
and  curiosity  of  the  plant,  by  which  nature  seemed 
to  give  human  kind  instructions  ;  and  looking  about, 
if  perchance  he  could  find  any  thing  in  his  way 
for  liis  own  proper  use  ;  he  took  along  with  him  a 
sample  of  every  different  herb  he  thought  might  be 
eatable.  Crossing  the  island  in  several  places,  he 
comes  at  a  most  delightful  pond,  about  two  hundred 
yards  in  length,  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  wide, 
with  fine  trees  spreading  their  branchy  limbs  over 
its  brink,  which  was  surrounded  with  a  beautiful 
bank,  covered  with  divers  kinds  of  flowers  and 
herbs,  so  naturally  intermixed,  which  completed  it 
in  ornament  and  conveniency,  as  though  intended 
by  nature  for  more  than  mortals'  use. 

Having  walked  several  times  around  it,  with  much 
pleasure,  he  sat  down  awhile  upon  its  bank,  to  ad- 
mire the  clearness  of  the  water,  through  which,  to 
his  great  comfort,  he  saw  many  ditterent  sorts  of 
fish,  of  various  bignesses,  shapes,  and  colours.  "  Hea- 
ven be  praised  !  "  said  he,  "  here  is  a  stock  of  fresh- 
water fish  to  supply  me  with  food,  if  the  sea  should 
fail  me." 

Being  sufficiently  diverted  with  their  chasing  one 
another,  which  were  of  many  beautiful  and  different 
colours,  and  made  a  most  delightful  scene,  he  pro- 
ceeds in  his  walk,  and  goes  to  the  south  of  the 
island,  where  he  finds  another  subject  of  admira- 
tion ;  a  noble  and  spacious  wood,  whose  shades 
seemed  to  be  made  for  the  abode  of  peace  and  plea- 


THE   ENGLISH    HERMIT.  167 

snr^.  He  walked  round  it  with  much  delight,  which 
made  flie  time  seem  siiort ;  yet  he  could  guess  it  to 
be  no  less  than  two  miles  about. 

Having  viewed  the  outside,  whose  extraordinary 
agreeableness  incited  in  him  an  insurmountable  de- 
sire to  iiet  into  it,  but  wliere  lie  was  afraid  to  ven- 
tuie,  lest  there  might  be  destructive  creatures  ;  yet, 
having  recommended  himself  to  the  care  of  Pn)vi- 
dence,  he  ventured  into  it,  finding  several  pleasant 
walks,  some  straight,  edged  with  lofty  trees,  as 
though  plnnted  for  pleasure  ;  others  crooked  and 
winding,  bordered  with  a  thick  hedge  of  pimentoes, 
which  cast  a  most  fragrant  smell  :  here  and  there  a 
large  clustei  of  bushes  and  dwarf-trees,  ^^ herein 
sheltered  several  kinds  of  wild  beasts  and  fowls. 
"  Sure,"  said  he,  "  this  island  never  was  intended 
by  nature  to  lie  waste,  but  rather  reserved  to  be  the 
hltppy  abode  of  some,  for  whom  Heaven  had  a  par- 
ticular blessing  in  store.  Here  is  every  thing  suffi- 
cient, not  only  for  the  support,  but  also  for  the 
pleasure,  of  lite;  Heaven  make  me  thankfid,  that  I 
am  the  happy  inhabitant  of  so  blessed  a  land!  " 

Being  hungry,  and  tired  with  walking,,  he  goes 
home,  in  order  to  get  some  victuals ;  and,  having 
made  a  fire,  he  boils  a  slice  of  his  salt  fish  with 
some  roots,  and  then  the  herbs  he  brought  with  him, 
which  proved  of  divers  tastes,  and  all  excellent; 
some  eating  like  artichokes,  others  like  asparagus 
and  spinage.  "  Now,"  said  he,  "  what  can  1  wish 
for  more?  here  I  possess  a  plentiful  land,  ^^hich 
produces  both  fowls,  flesh,  and  fish  ;  bears  excellent 
greens  and  roots,  andattbrds  the  best  of  water,  which 
by  nature  was  ordained  for  man's  drink.  Pomp 
and  greatness  are  but  pageantry,  which  often 
times  prove  more  prejudicial  to  the  actor  than  di 
verting  to  the  beholder.  Ease  and  indidgcnce  are 
apt  to  breed  the  gout,  and  various  distempers,  which 
make  the  rich  more  wretched  than  the  poor  ;  now 
the^e  evils,  thanks   to    my    Maker,    1  stand  in    no 


188  THE   ENGLI&H   HEUMIT. 

danger  of,  having  but  what  is  sufficient,  which  never 
can  do  any  harm." 

Thus,  thoroughly  easy  in  his  mind,  he  proposes  to 
spend  the  afternoon  at  the  outside  of  the  rock,  in 
viewing  the  sea,  and  looking  foroysters;  so  takes  in 
his  hand  his  h)ng  start  to  grabble  in  holes  ;  and  his 
breeches,  which  he  ties  at  the  knees,  to  bring  them 
in.  Being  come  to  a  place  of  the  rock  he  never  had 
been  at  before  he  sees  at  a  distance,  something  like 
linen  hanging  upon  it;  which  when  came  at,  he 
found  to  be  the  main-sail  of  a  ship,  with  a  piece  of 
the  yard  fastened  to  it.  "  Alas  !"  said  he,  "  a  dis- 
mal token  of  insatiable  ambition  !  which  makes 
men  often  lose  their  lives  in  seeking  what  they  sel- 
dom lind  ;  and,  if  ever  they  do,  'tis  commonly  at- 
tended with  a  world  of  care.  Happy  is  he  who 
limits  his  desire  to  his  ability  ;  aspiring  not  above 
his  reach,  and  is  contented  with  what  nature  re- 
quires." Then  he  falls  a  ripping  the  sheet  from  the 
yard,  which  he  finds  in  one  place  tied  with  one  of 
Ills  garters!  (having  himself  made  use  of  it  for  want 
of  another  string.)  "  Heaven  be  praised,"  said  he, 
"  this  is  no  effect  of  another  shipwreck,  but  a  frag- 
ment of  the  unfortunate  ship,  whose  loss  was  my 
redemption  ;"  which  reflection  made  him  shed  tears. 

Having  ripped  the  sail  in  pieces,  he  ro^s  them 
Bp  in  such  bundles  as  he  could  conveniently  carry, 
and  lays  them  down  till  he  had  got  a  few  oysters, 
proceeding  to  gi..pe  in  holes  with  his  slick  as  he 
went  on. 

About  forty  paces  farther,  he  finds  a  chest  in  a 
cleft  of  the  rock,  which  had  been  washed  up  there 
by  the  violence  of  the  late  storm.  "  Heavens!"  said 
he,  "  more  fatal  ettects  of  Fate's  cruelty,  and  man's 
temerity  !  Was  the  cea  maf^e  for  men  to  travel  on  1 
Is  there  not  land  enough  foi'  his  rambling  mind  to 
rove?  Must  he  hunt  alter  danijers,  and  put  Death 
to  defiance  ?  What  is  tlie  owner  of  this  the  better 
for  it  now  J  Or  who  can  be  the  better  in  a  place  so 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  169 

'emote,  and  the  access  to  it  so  difficult  ?  being  not 
to  be  approached  but  on  the  wings  of  Providence 
and  over  the  back  of  Death.  Now,  was  this  full  of 
massy  gold,  or  yet  riclier  things,  I  thank  my  God, 
I  am  above  the  use  of  it  ;  yet  I'll  take  it  hcjine  :  it 
was  sent  hither  by  Providence,  perhaps,  for  the  re- 
lief of  some  so  necessitated  and  destitute."  Then 
going  to  lift  it,  he  could  not  ;  therefcre  was  obliged 
to  fetch  his  hatchet  to  beat  it  open,  that  he  might 
take  away  what  was  in  it  by  degrees.  Having 
taken  as  much  of  the  sail-cloth  as  he  could  conve- 
niently carry,  with  the  few  oysters  he  had  got,  he 
went  home  and  fetched  the  tool,  wherewith  he 
wrenched  the  chest  open,  from  which  he  took  a  suit 
of  clothes,  and  some  wearing  linen.  "  These,"  said 
he,  "neither  the  owner  nor  I  want  :"  so  laid  them 
down.  The  next  thing  he  took  out  was  a  roll  of 
several  sheets  of  parchment,  being  blank  indentures 
and  leases.  "  These,"  said  he,  "  are  instruments  of 
the  law,  and  often  applied  to  injustice  ;  but  I'll 
alter  their  mischievous  properties,  and  make  thein 
records  of  Heaven's  mercies,  and  Providence's  won- 
derful liberality  to  me;  so,  instead  of  being  the  ruin 
of  some,  they  may  chance  to  be  the  reclaiming  of 
others."  At  the  bottom  of  the  chest  lay  a  nuidlet  of 
brandy,  a  Cheshire  cheese,  a  leather  bottle  full  of 
ink,  with  a  parcel  of  pens,  and  a  penknife.  "  As 
for  these,"  said  he,  they  are  of  use;  the  pens,  ink, 
and  parchments  have  equipped  me  to  keep  a  jour- 
nal, which  \  11  divert  and  pass  away  a  few  anxious 
hours.  As  foi-  the  cheese  and  brandy,  they  will  but 
cause  me  new  cares:  before  I  had  them,  I  wanted 
them  not ;  now,  the  benefit  and  comfort  I  shall  find 
in  them,  when  gone,  will  make  me  hanker  after 
them  most ;  I  wish  I  had  still  been  \\  ithout  them, 
but  now  they  are  here,  it  would  be  a  sin  to  let  them 
be  lost.  I'll  take  them  home,  and  only  use  them 
at  my  need,  which  will  both  make  them  hold  out 
the  longer,  and  me  grow  less  fotid  of  them. 


170  THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT. 

So,  by  degrees  he  takes  home  the  chest  and  what 
■was  in  it;  and  now,  having  materials  to  begin  his 
journal,  he  immediately  fell  to  work,  that,  for  want 
of  other  books,  he  might  at  his  leisure  peruse  iiis 
past  transactions,  and  the  many  mercies  he  had 
received  from  Heaven  ;  and  that  after  liis  decease, 
whoever  is  directed  thither  by  Providence,  upon 
reading  his  wondeiful  escapes  in  the  greatest  'of 
dangers,  his  miracnlons  living,  when  remote  from 
human  assistance,  in  the  like  extremity,  might  not 
despair.  Thus  he  begins  from  his  being  eight  yeara 
old  (as  well  as  he  can  remember  he  iieard  an  old 
aunt  of  his  say)  to  the  day  of  his  being  cast  away, 
which  happened  on  the  tenth  of  July,  1075,  being 
then  twenty-eight  years  of  age,  resolving  to  continue 
it  to  his  death. 

Thus  having  written  the  preceding  account  of  the 
shipwreck,  and  what  had  befallen  him  since,  to  the 
finding  of  the  chest,  which  was  on  the  fifteenth  of 
September,  lG75j  he  proceeds. —  But  calling  to  mind 
his  last  dream  but  one,  which  did  warn  him  to  make 
provision  against  winter,  and  the  season  being 
pretty  far  advanced,  he  gathers  a  good  store  of  fuel 
and  roots,  begins  to  line  the  outside  of  his  barrack 
with  a  wall  of  turf,  and  lays  the  same  at  top,  to 
keep  out  the  wet  :  and,  as  he  now  and  tiien  foimd 
small  shell-fish  and  oysters  upon  the  rock,  he  makes 
a  bridge  over  tlie  lake,  whicli  in  warm  weather  he 
used  to  wade,  that  in  the  winter  he  might  go  over 
tiry  :  so,  having  completed  his  bridge,  which  was 
made  of  two  strong  poles,  which  reached  from  the 
land  to  the  rock,  and  several  lesser  branches  laid 
across  pretty  close,  lie  retires  home,  the  day  being 
far  spent.  The  following  night,  being  the  eighteenJh 
of  .September,  there  arose  a  violent  storm,  attended 
with  dreadful  claps  of  thunder,  which  the  many 
echoes  from  the  lock  rendered  more  terrible;  and 
lightnings,  flashing  in  a  mo»t  frightful  m  inner,  snc- 
ceeding  each  other,  before  the  preceding  was  well 
out  of  the  sky,  which  put  poor  lonesome  Quarll  in 


THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  171 

such  a  consternation  that,  notwithstanding  his  reli- 
ance on  Heaven's  protection,  he  wouhl  liave  given 
the  world  (had  it  been  in  his  possession)  to  have 
been  within  reach  of  iunnan  assistance,  or  at  least, 
to  liave  some  company  ;  solitude  adding  much  to 
his  terror  and  atMiction. 

Tlie  glorious  rising  of  the  next  morning's  snn 
having  hid  the  mortifying  rage  of  the  blustering 
winds,  Qnarll,  whose  late  alarm  was  hardly  quelled, 
still  suspected  its  most  reviving  rays  to  be  terrifying 
glances  and  flashes  of  lightning  :  but  having  lain 
avvliile,  and  hearing  no  noise,  but  that  which  still 
raged  in  his  mind,  was  at  last  conviticed  the  storm 
was  over  ;  and  so  gets  up  with  a  resolution  to  go  and 
see  if  he  could  discern  any  etfect  of  the  late  tempest. 
Being  come  at  the  other  side  of  the  rock,  he  saw 
indeed  surprising  objects,  but  not  afflicting ;  the 
mischief  that  was  done  being  to  the  inhabitants  of 
the  sea  only,  a  vast  number  of  which  had,  by  the 
wind,  been  dis-elemented  ;  a  quantity  of  stately 
whitings,  fine  mackarels,  large  herrings,  divers  sizes 
of  codlings,  and  several  other  sorts  of  fish,  with  a 
great  number  of  shells,  of  ditlerent  shape<  and  big- 
ness, lying  up  and  down  upon  the  rock.  "  Heaven 
be  praised  !"  said  he,  "  instead  of  damage  to  bewail, 
■what  thanks  have  I  now  to  return  for  this  mighty 
benefit !  Here  the  powerful  agent  of  mischief  is,  by 
kind  Providence,  made  a  minister  of  godd  to  me. 
Make  me  thankful !  I  am  now  provided  for  all  the 
next  winter,  and  yet  longer ;  by  which  time  I  ara 
certain  to  have  a  fresh  supply. 

He  who,  when  in  distress, 

To  God  makes  his  address, 
And  his  bounties  impiore  ; 
*  Is  surp,  and  may  depend, 

That  relief  he  will  send. 
And  at  need  help  the  poor.* 

•  Lest  the  reader  should  think  these  and  the  following 
x-erses  to  be  the  effeet  of  mv  own  bruin,  I  solemnly  prottat 
they  are  what  I  found  in  his  Memoiis,  written  by  his  own  hand. 


«7a  THS  ENGLISH    HERMIT. 

Thus,  having  taken  up  as  many  fish  as  he  could 
hold  in  his  arms,  he  carries  them  home,  and 
brings  his   shirt,  which  he  ased  instead  of  a  sack. 

So,  at  several  times,  he  brought  away  all  the  fish, 
and  as  many  of  the  shells  as  he  had  occasion  for ;  of 
some  of  which  of  he  made  boilers  and  stewpans,  of 
others  dishes  and  plates  :  some  he  kept  water  in,  and 
others  fish  in  pickle ;  so  that  he  was  stocked  with 
necessary  vessels,  as  well  as  provision. 

Being  very  weary  with  often  going  backwards  and 
forwards  with  his  fish,  which  took  np  all  that  day 
to  bring  them  home,  he  sits  down  to  rest  himself  ;  and 
the  rundlet  of  brandy  lying  by,  he  was  tempted  to 
take  a  sup,  which  was  at  tliis  time  very  much  want- 
ed, his  spirits  being  very  low  ;  but  he  was  loth  to 
taste  it,  lest  he  should  grow  fond  of  the  liquor,  and 
grieve  after  it  when  it  was  gone.  Some  moments 
were  spent  before  he  could  come  to  a  resolution :  at 
last,  having  considered  the  use  of  it,  which  suited 
the  present  occasion,  he  concludes  to  take  a  dram, 
and  to  use  it  a?  a  cordial,  as  it  was  first  intended  for; 
but  the  vessel  out  of  which  he  drank  being  at  his 
mouth,  the  cordial  turns  to  a  nectar;  one  gulp  decoys 
another  down  ;  so  the  intended  dram  becomes  a  hear- 
ty draught.  The  pleasantness  of  the  liquor  made 
him  forget  its  nature;  so  that  poor  Quarll,  who  had, 
for  the  space  of  near  three  months  before,  drank  no- 
thing but  water,  was  presently  overcome  with  the 
strength  of  the  brandy,  and  fell  asleep  in  his  chair, 
with  the  rundlet  in  his  bare  lap,  whence  it  fell  to  the 
ground,  and  being  un>topt,  ran  all  out. 

Being  awaked  with  hunger,  having  slept  from 
evening  till  almost  noon  of  another  day,  which  he 
knew  not  whether  the  succeeding  or  the  next  to  i{, 
seeing  what  had  happened,  he  was  sorely  vexed,  and 
could  have  wept  at  tlie  accident ;  but,  considering 
the  liquor,  which  occasioned  it,  might  perhaps,  in 
time,  have  caused  greater  mischief,  he  soon  was  re- 


THE    ENGLISH    HERMIT.  173 

conciled  with  the  loss,  but  could  not  with  that  of 
the  right  order  of  the  days,  which,  having  entirely 
forgot,  hindered  the  going  on  of  liis  journal ;  so  was 
obliged  to  make  only  a  memorial.  That  damage 
being  repaired,  another  appears  of  a  lar  greater  con- 
sequence :  the  Sunday  is  lost,  which  he  liad  so  care- 
fully observed  till  that  time.  How  can'that  be  made 
up? 

"  Now,"  said  he,  "shall  I  daily  be  in  danger  of 
breaking  the  Sabbath,  knowing  not  the  day.  Oh, 
fatal  liquor  !  that  ever  lliou  wert  invented  to  cause 
80  much  mischief!  Murder,  adulteries,  and  blas- 
phemies, are  daily,  by  thy  most  pernicious  use, 
occasioned.  But  why  should  I  lay  the  blame  upon 
the  use,  when  it  the  abuse  that  does  the  hurt?  and 
exclaim  against  a  thing  which,  being  taken  in  mode- 
eration,  is  of  so  great  a  benefit,  reviving  a  fainting 
heart,  raising  sinking  spirits,  wanning  cold  and 
decayed  nature,  and  assuaging  several  pains  !"  So 
blames  himself  highly  for  gratifying  liis  appetite 
with  that  wherewith  he  only  ought  to  have  re- 
freshed nature ;  and  since  that  often  misguided  faculty 
had  prompted  him  to  commit  the  fault,  he  dedicated 
that  day,  in  which  he  became  sensible  of  it,  to 
prayers  and  fasting  ;  and  every  seventh  from  that 
he  set  apai  t  for  divine  worship  only,  which  he  iioped 
would  keep  him  from  breaking  the  Commandment 
for  keeping  holy  the  Sabbath  Day;  it  being  not 
certain  that  tlie  day  appointed  by  the  Church  for 
that  purpose  was  the  very  day  God  had  sanctiiied 
for  rest  ;  so  went  to  the  place  where  the  echoes,  in 
many  ditferent  and  melodious  sounds,  repeated  hia 
thanksgivings  to  the  Almighty,  which  he  had  fixed 
upon  to  pay  his  devotion,  and  there  spent  tlie  rest 
of  the  day  in  prayers  and  singing  of  psalms. 

The  next  morning,  having  breakfasted  on  some 
of  his  usual  bread,  and  a  slice  of  the  cheese  he  found 
in  the  chest,  he  goes  about  curing  his  lish,  iu  order 
to  salt  them :  having  laid  by  as  many  for  the  presen\ 


174  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

nse,  as  he  thought  he  could  eat  while  fresh,  he  im- 
prove*; the  fair  weather  to  dry  one  part  of  the  re- 
niainder  and  keeps  the  rest  in  pickle. 

The  winter  being  near  at  liand,  and  the  weather  grow- 
ing damp  and  cold,  liinders  him  from  his  walks;  so, 
beingconfined  wiiliin  doors,  he  employs  his  idle  hours 
in  beautifying  his  utensils,  which  were  not  to  be  used 
on  the  fire  ;  and  bestowed  some  pains  in  scraping 
and  polishing  the  rest  of  his  shells,  some  as  fine  as 
though  they  ha<l  been  nakers  of  pearl  ;  which  made 
them  not  only  more  fit  for  their  intended  uses,  bat 
also  a  great  ornament  to  his  barrack,  which  he  shelved 
round  with  plaited  twigs  after  the  manner  of  bistable, 
and  so  set  them  upon  it. 

Thus  he  spent  the  best  part  of  the  winter,  making 
no  farther  remarks,  but  that  it  was  very  sharp,  at- 
tended with  high  winds,  and  abundance  of  hail  and 
snow,  which  obliged  him  to  make  a  broom  to  sweep 
it  away  from  about  his  hut,  which  otherwise  would 
have  been  damaged  by  it. 

But  shivering  Winter,  having  exhausted  his  frosty 
stores, and  weary  with  vexing  Nature, retired  ;  Boreas 
also,  grown  faint  with  hard  blowing,  is  forced  to 
retreat  into  his  cave  ;  gentle  Zephyrus  (who  till  then 
kept  up  in  his  temperate  cell)  now  comes  forth  to 
usher  in  the  blooming  Spring  ;  so  mildly  slips  on  to 
inform  Nature  of  her  favourite's  approach,  who  at 
the  joyful  news,  put  on  her  gay  enamelled  garb, 
and  out  of  her  rich  wardrobe,  supplies  all  vegetables 
with  new  vesture,  to  welcome  the  most  lovely  guesr. 
The  feathered  choristers  also  receive  new  strength  ; 
their  tender  lungs  are  repaired  from  the  injuries 
the  foggy  and  misty  air  did  occasion  ;  and,  thus  re- 
vived, are  placed  on  every  budding  tree,  to  grace  his 
entrance  with  their  harmonious  notes. 

Quarll, also, whom  bad  weather  had  confined  within 
doors  a  considerable  time,  wh*ich  had  in  a  great 
measure  numbed  his  limbs,  and  dulled  his  senses,  now 


THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  175 

finds  himself  quite  revived  ;  he  no  longer  can  keep 
within  ;  the  fair  weather  invites  him  out  ;  the  sini:iug 
birds  on  every  side  call  to  him  ;  Nature  itself  fetches 
him  out,  to  behold    her   treasures. 

Having  with  unspeakable  pleasure  walked  some 
time,  diverted  with  the  sweet  melody  of  various  kinds 
of  singing  birds,  and  the  sight  of  abundance  of  dif- 
ferent sort- of  blossomed  trees  and  blooming  flowers; 
all  things  within  the  island  inspiring  joy  ;  he  had  :he 
curiosity  to  go  and  view  the  sea  :  so  goes  over  his  bridge; 
and  then,  at  ihe  other  side  of  the  rock,  he  finds  more 
objects  reqjiiring  as  much  admiration,  but  attording 
a  great  deal  less  p'easure;  vast  mountains  of  ice  float- 
ing up  and  down,  t'hreatening  all  that  came  in  their 
way. 

These  terrible  effects  of  the  winter,  which  to  that 
time  he  was  a  stranger  to,  occasioned  his  making 
these  reflections  : 

He  who  on  billows  roves,  riches  or  wealth  to  gain, 

Is  ever  in  danger,  and  labours  oft  in  vain  ; 

If  Fortune  on  Tiii.T  smiles  giving  liis  toil  success, 

Eacli  day  new  cares  arise,  \ihich  mar  his  happiness. 

The  only  treasure,  then,  worth  laying  up  in  store,  "i 

Is  a  (ontcnted  mind,  which  never'leavea  one  poor;  > 

He  is  not  truly  rich  who  hankers  after  more.  J 

So,  having  returned  Heaven  thanks  for  his  happy 
state,  he  creeps  to  the  north-east  side  of  the  rock,  at 
the  foot  of  which  lay  an  extraordinary  large  whale, 
which  the  late  high  winil  had  cast- there,  and  had  died 
for  want  of  water.  "  If  this,"  said,  he  "  is  all  the 
damage  that  has  been  done  last  winter,  it  may  be 
borne  ;"  so  went  down,  and  measured  the  length  of 
it,  which  was  above  thirty  yards,  and  proportionable 
in  bigness.  There  were  shoals  of  small  fishes  swim- 
ming about  it  in  the  shallow  water  wherein  it  lay,  as 
rejoicing  at  its  de:tth.  "  Thus,"  said  he,  "  the  op- 
pressed rejoice  at  a  tyrant'^all.  What  numbers  of 
these  have  been  destroyed  to  make   this  monstrous 


176  THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT. 

bulk  of  fat !  Well,  happy  are  they  who,  like  me, 
are  under  Heaven's  government  only."  So,  with 
his  knife,  which  he  always  carried  in  his  pocket, 
cuts  several  slices  of  the  whale,  and  throws  them  to 
the  small  fishes,  saying — "  It  is  but  just  ye  should, 
at  last,  fe<  d  on  that  which  so  long  fed  on  you  ;"  and 
as  oil  ran  in  abundance  from  the  places  he  had  cut 
the  slices  out  of,  it  vexed  him  to  see  that  wasted 
■which  might  turn  to  good  money.  "But  why," 
said  he,  "  should  I  be  disturbed  at  it  ?  What  use 
have  I  for  any  ?  Providence  takes  none,  it  gives 
me  all  gratis."  So  goes  on  feeling  for  oysters  with 
his  staff,  which  he  always  walked  with. 

Having  at  last  found  a  hole,  where,  by  their 
rattling  at  the  bottom  with  his  staff,  he  judged  there 
might  be  a  pretty  many,  he  marks  the  place,  and 
goes  home  to  contrive  some  instrument  to  drag  them 
up,  being  yet  too  cold  for  him  to  go  in  the  water  ; 
and  as  he  had  no  tool  but  his  knife  and  hatchet,  both 
improper  to  make  a  hole  in  a  board,  as  requisite  to 
make  a  rake,  which  was  wanting  for  that  purpose, 
he  beats  out  the  end  of  his  chest,  in  which  there 
was  a  knot  :  >o,  having  driven  it  out,  he  fastens  the 
small  end  of  a  pole  to  it.  Thus  equipped,  he  went  and 
raked  up  oysters,  which  added  one  dish  to  his  ordi- 
nary, and  sauce  to  others;  yet  at  length,  his  stomach 
growing  qualmish  with  eating  altogether  fish,  and 
drinking  nothing  but  water  withal,  he  wishes  he 
could  have  a  little  flesh,  which  he  might  easily, 
there  being  animals  enough  in  the  wood  apparently 
fit  for  food  ;  but  then  he  must  deprive  them  of  their 
lives,  barely  to  make  his  own  more  easy. 

Thus  he  debates  with  himself  for  some  time, 
whether  or  no  it  would  not  be  injustice  for  liim 
(who  only  by  a  providential  accident  was  brought 
thither  to  save  his  life)  now  to  destroy  those  crea- 
tures to  whom  nature  has  given  a  being,  in  a  land 
out  of  man's  reach  to  disturb  :  "  Yet  nature  requires 
what   seems  to  be  against   nature  to  grant :  I  am 


THE   ENGLISH   HERMIT.  177 

hint,  nnd  like  to  grow  worse  the  longer  I  abstain 
from  flesh." 

Having  paused  awhile — "Whj,"  said  he,  "sliould 
I  be  so  scrupidous  ?  Were  not  all  things  created 
tor  the  use  ot  man  ?  Now,  vhether  is  it  not  worse 
to  let  a  man  peri>h,  than  to  destroy  any  other  crea- 
ture for  his  relief?  Nature  craves  it,  anil  Providence 
f;ives  it  :  now,  not  to  use  it  in  necessity,  is  under- 
valniiig  the  gift." 

So,  having  concluded  upon  catching  some  of  those 
animals  he  had  seen  in  the  wood,  he  considers  by 
what  means,  having  no  doirs  to  hunt,  nor  guns  to 
shoot.  Having  paused  awhile,  he  resolves  upon 
making  gins,  wherewith  he  had  seen  hares  catclied 
in  Europe  :  thus,  taking  some  of  the  cords  which 
he  foi:nd  with  the  sail  at  the  outside  of  the  rock,  he 
goes  to  work,  and  makes  several,  which  he  fastens 
at  divers  gaps  in  the  thickset  within  the  wood, 
through  which  he  judged  that  sort  of  beast  he  Lad  a 
mind  for  went. 

Impatient  to  know  the  success  of  his  snares,  he 
gets  up  betimes  the  next  morning,  and  goes  to  ex- 
amine them  ;  in  one  of  which  he  found  a  certain 
animal  something  like  a  fawn,  the  colour  of  a  deer, 
but  feet  and  ears  like  a  fox,  and  as  big  as  a  well 
grown  hare.  He  was  much  rejoiced  at  his  game, 
whose  mo'Jth  he  immediately  opened,  to  see  if  he 
could  find  out  whether  it  fed  upon  grass,  or  lived 
opon  prey :  the  creature  being  caught  by  the  neck, 
and  strangled  with  struggling,  before  it  died  had 
brought  up  ia  its  throat  some  of  the  greens  it  had 
been  eating,  which  very  much  pleased  him ;  ac- 
counting iln«e  that  lived  upon  flesh  as  bad  as 
carrion. 

Having  returned  thanks  for  his  good  luck,  he 
takes  it  home  in  order  to  dress  part  of  i'.  for  his 
dinner,  so  eases  and  guts  it  :  but  its  proving  to  be 
a  female  big  with  three  young  ones,  grieved  him 
to  the  heart,  and  made  him   repent  making  tho^e 

N 


178  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

killing  nooses — "  What  pity,"  said  ho,  "  so  many 
lives  shoiilii  be  lost,  apd  creatures  wasted  !  one  would 
have  served  me  four  days  ;  and  here  are  four  killed 
at  once.  Well,  henceforth,  to  prevent  tlie  like  evil, 
I  will  take  alive  what  I  just  want,  and  save  all  the 
females."  So,  having  stuck  a  long  stick  at  both 
ends  in  the  ground,  making  a  half  circle,  he  hangs 
one  quarter  of  the  animal  upon  a  string  before  a  good 
fire,  and  so  roasts  it. 

His  dinner  being  ready,  having  said  grace,  he  set 
to  eating  with  an  uncommtm  appetite;  and  whether 
it  was  the  novelty  of  the  dish,  or  that  the  meat  did 
really  deserve  tlie  praise,  he  really  thought  he  never 
ate  any  thing  of  flesh,  till  then,  comparable  to  it, 
either  for  taste  or  tenderness. 

Having  dined  both  plentifully  and  delicionsly,  he 
most  zealously  returns  kind  Providence  thanks  for 
tlie  late  and  all  favours  received  ;  then,  pursuant  to 
his  resolution,  he  goes  about  making  nets,  in  order 
to  take  his  game  alive  for  the  future  ;  and  as  he  had 
no  small  twine  to  make  it  with,  he  was  obliged  to 
unravel  some  of  the  sail  which  he  luckily  had  by 
him  ;  an<l  with  the  thread  twist  some  of  the  bigness 
he  judged  proper  tor  that  use. 

Having  made  a  sufficient  quantity,  he  makes  a 
couple  of  nets,  about  four  feet  square,  which  he  fas- 
tens in  the  room  of  the  ki  ling  snares;  so  retired, 
and  resolved  to  come  and  examine  them  every 
morning. 

Several  days  passed  without  taking  any  thing,  so 
that  he  wanted  flesh  a  whole  week,  which  did  begin 
to  disorder  his  stomach,  but  not  his  temper  ;  being 
entirely  resigned  to  the  will  of  Providence,  and 
fully  contented  with  whatever  Heaven  was  pleased 
to  send. 

One  afternoon,  which  was  not  his  customary  time 
of  day  to  examine  his  nets,  being  too  visible  in  the 
day  time  for  game  to  run  in,  he  happened  to  walk 
in  the  wood,  to  take  the  full  dimensions  thereof,  so 


THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  179 

chanced  to  go  by  his  nets;  in  one  of  which  -were 
taken  two  animals  as  big  as  a  ki<i  six  weeks  old,  of 
a  bright  dun,  their  horns  iipriglit  and  straight,  their 
shape  like  a  stag,  most  curiously  limbed,  vvilh  a  small 
tuft  of  hair  on  each  shoulder  and  hip.  By  their 
horns,  which  were  but  short,  they  appeared  to  be 
very  young,  which  rejoiced  hinijliie  more,  being  in 
hopes  to  tame  those  which  lie  did  not  want  for 
present  use  ;  so  carried  them  home,  joyful  of  his 
game,  depending  upon  a  good  dinner,  but  was  sadly 
disappointed  ;  the  animals  he  found  were  antelopes 
(calling  to  mind  he  had  seen  them  in  his  travels) 
■which,  proving  both  females,  he  had  made  a  reso- 
lution to  preserve.  Though  they  were  too  young  to 
be  with  kid,  and  he  in  great  need  of  flesh,  yet  he 
would  not  kill  them ;  so  w  ith  cords  fastens  them 
to  the  outside  of  his  lodge  ;  and  with  constant  feed- 
ing them,  in  two  months'  time  made  them  so  tame 
that  they  followed  him  up  and  down,  which  added 
much  to  the  pleasure  he  already  took  in  his  habita- 
tion, which  by  that  time  was  covered  with  green 
leaves,  both  top  and  sides,  the  stakes  it  was  made 
of  having  struck  root,  ami  shot  out  young  "branches, 
whose  strength  increasing  that  summer,  to  till  up 
the  vacancy  between  each  plant,  he  pulled  the  turfs, 
wl-.eieuitli  he  had  covered  the  outside  and  top  of 
the  hut  between  them,  to  keep  the  cold  out  in  the 
winter. 

His  former  hut,  being  now  become  a  pleasant 
arbour,  gave  him  encouragement  to  bestow  some 
pains  about  it  towards  tiie  embellishment  of  it, 
wiiich  seemed  to  depend  on  being  well  attended. 
He  resolved  upon  keeping  it  pruned  and  watered, 
the  better  to  make  it  grow  thick  and  last,  which 
answered  his  intent ;  for  in  three  years'  time,  the 
stems  of  every  plant  tliat  composed  the  arbour  were 
grown  quite  close,  and  made  a  solid  wall  of  about 
six  inches  thick,  covered  with  green  leaves  w  ithout, 
which  lay  most  regular  and  even,  and  within  had  a 
N  2 


180  THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT. 

most  agreeable  smooth  bark,  of  a  pleasant  olive 
colour. 

His  late  arbour  being,  by  his  care,  and  time,  and 
nature's  assistance,  become  a  matchless  lodge,  as 
intended  by  nature  for  something  more  than  hu- 
man guests,  he  now  consults  to  make  it  as  com- 
modious as  beautiful.  "  Here  is,"  said  he,  "a  de- 
lightful dwelling,  warm  in  the  winter,  and  cool  in 
the  summer ;  delightful  to  the  eye,  and  comfor- 
table to  the  body ;  pity  it  should  be  employed  to 
any  use  but  repose  and  delight!"  so  resolved  upon 
making  a  kitchen  near  it.  Thus  having  fixed  up- 
on a  place  convenient  at  the  side  of  his  lodge, 
about  six  feet  from  it,  twelve  in  length,  and  eight 
in  breadth,  which  he  enclosed  with  the  turfs  that 
covered  the  outside  of  his  arbour,  before  it  was  suf- 
ficiently thick  to  keep  out  the  cold;  then,  having 
laid  sticks  across  the  top  of  the  walls,  which  were 
about  eight  feet  high,  he  lays  turf  thereon,  and  so 
covers  it,  leaving  an  open  place  for  the  smoke  to 
go  out. 

The  outside  being  done,  he  goes  about  inside 
necessaries,  as  fire  places,  to  roast  and  boil  at ; 
thus  cuts  a  hole  in  the  ground,  at  a  small  distance 
from  the  wall,  after  the  manner  of  stew-stoves  in 
noblemen's  kitchens;  then  at  another  place,  he 
sets  two  flat  stones,  about  eight  or  nine  inches 
broad,  and  one  foot  long,  edgeways,  opposite  to 
one  another,  near  two  feet  asunder ;  then  puts  a 
third  in  the  same  manner,  at  the  end  of  the  other 
two,  so  makes  a  fire-place  fit  to  roast  at .  then,  for 
other  conveniences,  he  weaves  twigs  about  ^cks 
stuck  in  the  wall  on  one  side  of  the  kitchen, 
where  he  lays  the  shells  fit  for  utensils,  which  both 
adorned  and  furnished  it. 

Having  completed  that  piece  of  work,  he  goes 
and  visits  his  plantations,  which  he  finds  in  a 
thrivinir  condition,  the  roots  being  in  six  months' 
time  grown  from  the  bign  ess  of  a  pea  (as  they  were 
wnen  first  set)  to  that  of  an  egg :  his  antelopes  also 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  Iftj 

were  come  to  their  full  growth,  and  complete 
beauty,  which  exceeded  most  four-footed  beasts; 
having  a  majestic  presence,  body,  and  limbs,  repre- 
senting a  Slag,  and  tlie  noble  march  of  a  horse  :  so 
every  thing  concurred  to  his  happiness.  For  which, 
having  returned  his  most  liberal  Benefactor  his 
grateful  acknowledgments,  he  thinks  on  means  to 
prevent  any  obstructions  that  may  intercept  the 
continuation  thereof;  and  as  the  want  of  clothes 
was  the  only  cause  he  could  think  of,  to  make  him 
uneasy,  having  but  the  jacket  and  hose  which  were 
given  him  on  board,  to  save  his  own  clothes,  wliich 
when  worn  out  he  could  not  recruit  ;  therefore,  to 
accustom  himself  to  go  without,  he  tliins  those  he 
had,  so  takes  away  the  lining  from  the  outside  of 
his  clothing,  in  order  to  wear  the  thickest  in  the 
coldest  weather ;  and  so  thins  his  dress  by  degrees^ 
till  at  last  he  went  quite  naked. 

Having  thus  concluded,  as  being  the  best  shift 
necessity  could  raise  him,  he  falls  to  ripping  his 
jacket,  in  the  lining  of  which  he  finds  seven  peas 
and  three  beans,  which  were  got  in  at  a  hole  at  the 
corner  of  the   pocket. 

Those  few  made  him  wish  for  more,  which  he 
had  no  room  to  hope  for,  they  being  raised  by  seed, 
which  the  island  did  not  produce.  "  These  few," 
said  lie,  "  which  at  present  are  hardly  sufficient  to 
oatisfy  a  woman's  longing,  may,  with  time  and  in- 
dustry, be  improved  to  a  quantity  large  enough  to 
serve  me  for  a  meal ;"  then  lays  them  up  against  a 
proper  time  to  set  them.  So  spent  the  remainder 
of  that  summer  in  walking  about  the  island,  water- 
ing his  lodge,  weeding  his  root  plantation,  attending 
his  nets,  which  now  and  then  supplied  him  with 
an  antelope  or  goat,  to  eat  at  intervals  between  fish 
he  commonly  found  on  the  rock  after  high  winds 
and  storms,  never  failing  to  visit  the  sea  three  or 
four  times  a  week,  according  as  the  weather  did 
prove  ;   thus  diverting  many  anxious  hours  with  the 


182  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

variety  of  objects  that  element  affords.  Sometimes 
he  nad  the  pleasure  of  seeing  great  whales  chasing 
one  another,  spouting  large  streams  of  water  out  of 
their  gills  and  nostrils ;  at  other  times  numbers  of 
beautiful  dolphins  rolling  amongst  the  waves  ;  now 
and  then  a  quantity  of  strange  monstrous  fish  plaj^ 
ing  on  the  surface  of  the  sea,  some  whereof  had 
heads  (not  common  to  fishes)  like  those  of  hogs; 
others  not  unlike  those  of  dogs,  calves,  horses,  lions, 
bulls,  goats,  and  several  other  creatures ;  some 
chasing  another  sort,  which,  to  avoid  being  taken, 
would  quit  their  element,  and  seek  refuge  in  the 
air,  and  fly  some  yards  above  the  water,  till  their 
fins  being  dry,  obliged  them  to  plunge  in  again. 

These  pastimes  being  generally  succeeded  with 
bad  weather  and  dreadful  storms,  checked  the  plea- 
sure they  gave,  with  a  dread  of  the  evil  that 
threatened  to  follow:  thus  commiserating  the  case 
of  those  whose  misfortune  is  to  be  exposed  to  them. 
Having  spent  some  time  in  reflection,  he  goes  to 
his  usual  devotion  ;  and,  calling  to  mind  that  in  all 
that  time  he  never  saw  a  young  fish  in  it,  he  con- 
jectured that  something  might  destroy  the  small 
ones  ;  attd,  as  he  imagined,  so  it  proved,  for,  at  his 
approach,  a  large  fowl  flew  out  of  the  pond  with  a 
fish  in  its  bill,  being  too  large  for  it  to  swallow. 

At  that  distance,  the  bird  being  also  upon  the 
wing,  he  could  neither  discern  colour  nor  make  ; 
but  he  had  the  satisfaction  of  discovering  the  cause 
why  the  fishes  did  not  increase,  they  being  devoured 
when  young  by  that  creature ;  which,  to  prevent 
for  the  future,  he  studies  means  to  kill  thedestroyer, 
nets  not  being  proper  instruments  ;  it  being  neces- 
sary, for  that  purpose,  to  have  one  all  round,  as  also 
to  cover  the  pond,  which  was  impossible,  by  reason 
of  its  largeness  ;  and  a  less  being  of  no  use,  the  birds 
probably  not  coming  to  one  certain  place.  He 
wished  for  a  gun  and  ammunition  fitting,  as  being 
the  most  probable   things  to  succeed  ;  but  no   such 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  183 

instrument  being  within  his  reach,  he  ponders 
again  ;  during  which  time  a  cross-bow  otfers  itself 
to  his  mind,  but  is  as  distant  from  his  reach  as  the 
gun.  It  is  true  there  was  stuff  enough  in  the  island 
to  make  many,  but  no  tools  but  a  hatcliet  and  a 
pocket  knife;  wherewith  if  he  made  shift  to  cut 
and  shape  a  bow,  he  could  not  make  a  latch  and 
spring  necessary  to  it,  so  he  must  not  think  on  it. 
Yet  a  bow  being  the  only  tiling  he  could  apply  to, 
he  goes  about  one  forthwith.  Thus  having  picked  a 
branch  of  a  tree,  which  had  the  resemblance  of  yew, 
and  as  tongh,  of  which  they  are  sometimes  made, 
he,  with  the  tools  he  had,  made  shift  to  make  one 
of  about  six  feet  long,  and  arrows  of  the  same, 
whicli  he  hardens  and  straightens,  over  the  fire  ; 
then,  hiving  slit  them  at  one  end  about  two  or  three 
inches,  he  slips  in  a  bit  of  parchment,  cut  sharp 
at  one  end,  and  about  two  or  three  inches  at  the 
other;  then  ties  the  end  close,  to  keep  it  in,  which 
served  for  feathers  ;  and  with  the  ravelling  of  some 
of  the  sail  he  makes  a  string  to  it. 

Thus  equipped  for  an  archer,  wanting  nothing  but 
skill,  which  is  only  to  be  gained  by  practice,  he 
daily  exercises  shooting  at  a  mark  for  the  space  of 
a  fortnight ;  in  which  time  he  made  such  an  im- 
provement that  in  three  shoots  he  would  hit  a 
mark  of  about  three  inches  square,  at  near  fifty 
paces  distant. 

Being  sufficiently  skilled,  he  goes  and  lies  in  wait 
for  his  desired  game  ;  so  placed  himself  behind  a 
tree,  as  near  to  the  pond  as  he  could,  whither  the 
bird  came  in  a  few  hours  after. 

The  creature  being  pitched  upon  the  bank,  never 
stood  still,  but  kept  running  round,  watching  for  a 
sizeable  fish  fit  to  swallow,  so  that  he  had  no  oppor- 
tunity to  shoot :  till,  having  at  last  spied  out  one,  it 
launched  itself  into  the  pond,  but  rose  more  easily 
which  gave  him  time  to  take  aim,  nevertheless  he 
missed  it,  being  in  motion;  bnt  when  come  to  the  top. 


184  THE   ENGLISH   HERMIT. 

he  struck  it  through  the  body  as  it  opened  its  Winn's 
and  laid  it  fiat  on  the  other  side  of  ihe  pond.  He 
took  it  up,  wonderfully  pleased  at  his  good  ^ucces 
the  first  time  of  his  praclii^ing  his  newly-accinired 
art;  yet,  having  taken  notice  of  the  bird's  beauiy, 
he  had  a  regret  for  its  death,  though  he  might,  in 
time,  have  rued  its  living  ;  the  stock  of  tish  weekly 
decreasing,  by  his  own  catching  one  now  and  then 
with  a  small  net  he  made  for  that  use,  when  short 
of  other  provisions  ;  and  their  recruiting  prevented 
by  that  bird's  daily  devouring  their  young. 

The  inexpressible  beauty  of  the  feathers,  which 
Mere  after  the  nature  of  a  drake,  every  one  dis- 
tinguished from  another  by  a  rim  round  the  edge 
thereof,  about  the  breadth  of  a  large  thread,  and  of 
a  changeable  colour  from  red  to  aurora  and  green, 
the  ribs  of  a  delightful  blue,  and  the  feathers  pearl- 
colour,  speckled  with  a  bri-ht  yellow;  the  breast 
and  belly  (if  it  might  be  said  to  be  of  any  particular 
colour)  was  that  of  a  dove's  feathers,  rimmed  like 
the  back,  diversely  changing ;  the  head,  which  was 
like  that  of  a  swan  for  make,  was  purple  also, 
changing  as  it  moved,  the  bill  like  burni?hed  gold, 
eyes  like  a  ruby,  with  a  rim  of  gold  roun<l  it,  the 
feet  the  same  as  the  bill;  the  size  of  the  bird  was 
between  a  middling  goose  and  a  duck,  and  in  shape 
resembling  a  swan. 

Having  bemoaned  the  death  of  that  delightful 
creature,  he  carefully  takes  out  its  flesh,  which,  cor- 
rupting, would  spoil  the  outside  ;  then  fills  the  skin 
with  sweet  herbs,  which  he  dried  for  that  use;  and 
having  sewed  up  the  place  he  had  cut  open  to  take 
the  flesh  out,  he  set  it  up  in  his  lodge. 

His  good  success  in  archery  made  him  love  the 
exercise  ;  so  that  what  odd  hours  he  had  in  the  day 
(besides  those  he  set  apart  for  his  divine  worship, 
and  those  necessary  occupations  about  his  lodge, 
plantations,  and  making  remarks)  he  bestowed  ia 
(hooting  at  the  mark  ;  which  iu  time  made  him  so 


THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  185 

export  that  he  hardly  would  miss  a  standing  mark 
the  bigness  of  a  dove,  at  forty  orfifty  yards'  distance, 
T)nce  in  ten  tijnes,  and  ^vould  shoot  tolerably  well 
flying;  having  once  occasion  to  try  it  upon  a  mon- 
strous eagle,  which  often  flew  rounding  over  the 
place  wlitre  his  antelopes  and  goats  fed,  near  his 
lodge,  which  he  shot  at,  fearing  it  would  damage 
them,  and  killed  with  the  second  arrow. 

The  summer  being  oier,  during  which,  having 
been  much  taken  up  about  his  habitation  and  plan- 
tations, he  had  neither  time  nor  opportunity  to  make 
remarks,  farther  than  it  was  some  days  very 
showery,  and  for  the  mo*  part  generally  very  hot; 
but  now  the  weather  being  grown  something  cold, 
and  tlie  wind  pretty  sharp,  he  must  be  obliged  to 
put  on  some  clothes  to  keep  it  off,  being  as  jet  too 
tender  to  go  any  longer  without,  next  to  provide  for 
his  antelopes  against  the  approaching  ^^ inter;  so 
makes  a  lodge  for  them,  at  the  backside  of  his 
kitchen,  with  sticks,  wSiich  he  drove  into  the  ground, 
about  two  feet  from  the  wall,  and  then  bends  them 
about  three  feet  from  the  ground,  and  sticks  them 
in  the  said  wall,  and  smaller  branches  he  interwove 
between  them  :  he  shuts  up  the  front,  and  covers 
the  top,  leaving  both  ends  open  for  the  antelopes  to 
go  in  at ;  then  lays  grass  (which  he  dried  on  pur- 
pose) in  the  said  lodge,  for  them  to  lie  on.  Thus, 
having  dug  up  a  considerable  quantity  of  roots,  and, 
being  already  stocked  with  salt  fish,  both  dry  and 
in  pickle,  he  was  pretty  well  provided  for  his 
cattle  and  himself  against  the  ensuing  winter,  which 
proved  much  like  the  preceding  one,  only  not  so 
stormy. 

The  succeeding  spring  having  awaked  slumbering 
Nature,  and  revived  what  the  preceding  hard  sea- 
son had  caused  to  droop,  every  vegetable  puts  on 
new  clothing,  and  recovers  its  wonted  beauty  ;  each 
animal  assumes  fresh  vigour;  the  beasts  in  the  wood 
leap  and  bound  for  joy,  and  each  bird  on  the  trees 


18G  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

sings  for  gladness.  The  whole  creation  is, as  it  were, 
repaired,  and  every  creature  decked  with  new  life. 
Love,  by  Nature's  direction,  for  the  increase  of  every 
kind,  warms  their  harmless  breasts,  each  animal 
seeks  a  mate,  our  tame  antelopes  quit  their  abode, 
and  range  the  woods  for  the  relief  ordained  to  quell 
their  innocent  passion  ;  which  being  asswaged,  they 
leturn  home,  pregnant  with  young,  to  their  master's 
great  satisfaction;  who.  having  given  them  over, 
was  doubly  rejoict^d  to  see  them  come  again  in  an 
increasing  condition.  "  Heaven  be  praised  !"  said 
he,  "  I  shall  have  a  stock  of  my  own,  and  will  not 
fear  wanting." 

So,  having  made  fitting  prepautions  against  their 
kidding,  he  goes  and  examines  tie  improvement  of 
hi?  new  plantation,  where  he  found  his  roots  grown 
full  as  large  as  any  of  those  that  grew  wild,  "  Make 
me  thankful !"  said  he,  "  I  am  now  provided  with 
all  necessary  food :  I  shall  no  more  need  to  rob 
those  poor  creatures  of  that  which  nature  had  pro- 
vided for  their  own  proper  use."  Next  he  goes  and 
views  his  small  stock  of  peas  and  beans,  which  he 
found  in  a  very  promising  case :  so,  whilst  the 
weatherwas  fair,  he  falls  to  clearing  a  spotof  ground 
to  set  them  in,  as  they  increased. 

Turning  np  the  ground,  he  found  several  sorts  of 
roots  that  looked  to  be  eatable,  some  whereof  were  as 
big  as  a  large  carrot,  others  less.  He  broke  a  bit  of 
every  one,  some  of  which  breaking  short,  and  not  being 
stringy,  he  judged  they  might  be  eatable  :  then  he 
smells  them,  and  finding  the  scent  not  disagreeable, 
he  tastes  them.  Some  were  sweetish,  others  sharp 
and  hot,  like  horse-radish  ;  and  those  he  proposes  to 
use  instead  of  spice.  "  Sure,"  said  he,  "  these,  being 
of  a  pleasant  scent  and  savour,  cannot  be  of  an  offen- 
sive nature."  So,  having  manured  his  ground,  he 
takes  a  sample  of  every  root  which  he  judged  eat- 
able, and  boils  them,  as  the  surest  way  to  experience 
their  toodness 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  J87 

Most  of  them  proved  not  only  passable  good,  bu* 
extraordinary  ;  some  eating  like  parsnips,  other 
almost  like  carrots,  but  rather  more  agreeable,  some 
like  beets  and  turnips;  every  one  in  their  severd 
kinds,  as  good  as  ever  he  ate  in  England,  but  of 
different  colours  and  make,  some  being  blueish 
others  black,  some  red,  and  some  yellow:  these 
though  not  wanted,  having  sufficient  to  gratify  a 
nicer  taste  than  his,  were  nevertheless  extremely 
welcome,  being  something  like  his  native  country's 
fare  and  product.  So,  having  returned  thanks  foi 
this  most  agreeable  addition  to  his  ordinary,  he  sets 
a  mark  to  every  herb  which  those  roots  bore,  in 
order  to  get  some  of  the  seed  to  sow  in  a  ground 
he  would  prepare  :  so,  being  provided  with  flesh, 
fish,  herbs,  and  several  sorts  of  roots,  he  goes  and 
examines  what  improvement  his  peas  and  beans 
have  made,  which  he  found  increased  to  admiration, 
the  seven  peas  having  produced  one  thousand,  and 
the  three  beans  one  hundred.  Having  returned 
thanks  for  that  vast  increase,  he  lays  them  by,  in 
order  to  set  them  at  a  proper  season,  as  he  had  done 
the  year  before. 

By  this  time  his  antelopes  had  kidded,  one  of 
them  having  brought  four  young  ones,  and  the  second 
three.  This  vast  addition  to  his  provisions  very 
much  rejoiced  him,  being  sure  now  not  to  want 
flesh  at  his  need,  which  before  he  was  in  danger  of, 
finding  but  seldom  any  thing  in  his  net,  so  makes 
account  to  live  upon  two  of  the  young  bucks  whilst 
they  lasted,  killing  one  as  soon  as  fit  for  meat,  and 
so  now  and  then  another,  saving  only  five  to  breeds 
one 'Whereof  should  be  a  mate  to  keep  the  females 
in  rutting  time  from  the  wood  ;  lest  at  one  time  or 
other,  they  should  stay  away  for  good  and  all. 

The  old  ones  being  well  fed,  as  he  always  took 
care  to  do,  providing  for  them  store  of  those  greens 
he  knew  they  loved,  as  also  boiled  roots  for  them 
now  and   then,   of  which  they  are   very  fond :  the 


188  TH2   ENGLISH   HERMIT. 

yonng  ones  throve  apace,  and  grew  very  fat,  to  that 
in  three  veeks'  time  they  were  large,  and  fit  to  eat. 
He  killed  one,  which  being  roasted,  proved  to  be 
more  delicious  than  anj-  hoiise-lamb,  sucking-pig, 
young  fawn,  or  any  other  suckling  whatever. 

Having  lived  upon  that,  wiih  now  and  then  a 
little  fish,  about  one  month,  which  was  as  long  as 
lie  could  keep  it  eatable,  having  dressed  it  at  two 
ditferent  times,  five  days'  intervals,  eating  the  cold 
remains  in  several  manners  ;  reserving  one  of  the 
other  two  males  for  a  time  when  he  shoidd  be  scan- 
ted, and  in  want  of  llesh  ;  but  was  unluckily  disap- 
pointed by  a  parcel  of  large  eagles,  which  flying  one 
morning  over  the  place  where  the  young  antelopes 
were  playing,  being  of  a  gay,  as  well  as  active,  dis- 
position, who  launched  themselves  with  precipi- 
tation upon  the  male  he  reserved  for  time  of  need, 
and  one  of  the  females,  which  he  kept  for  breed  : 
seeing  his  beloved  diverters  carrying  away  by  those 
birds  of  prey,  he  runs  for  his  bow,  but  came  too 
late  with  it,  the  eagles  being  gone. 

Having  lost  his  two  dear  antelopes, especially  the 
female,  having  doomed  the  male  for  his  own  eating, 
he  could  hardly  forbear  weeping,  to  think  of  their 
being  cruelly  torn  to  pieces  by  those  ravenous  crea- 
tures. Thus  having  for  some  time  lamented  his  loss, 
and  bewailed  their  hard  fate,  he  thinks  on  means  to 
prevent  the  like  evil  for  the  time  to  come;  and,  as 
his  bow  was  not  always  at  hand,  he  resolves  upon 
making  a  net,  and  fastens  it  between  the  trees  he 
saw  them  come  in  at. 

The  succeeding  %vinter,  proving  very  wet  and 
windy,  gave  him  but  little  invitation  to  take  his 
usual  walks;  so,  having  every  thing  he  had  occasion 
for  at  hand,  he  kept  close  to  net-making  ;  for  which, 
having  twine  to  twist,  and  thread  to  ravel  out,  to 
make  the  said  twine  kept  him  employed  till  the 
following  spring,  which  came  on  apace. 

Ha>'iD5  tinished  his  net,  and  every  thing  which 


THB  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  189 

belonged  to  it,  he  goes  and  fastens  it  to  the  trees,  as 
he  had  proposed  ;  then  takes  a  walk  to  his  new  plan- 
tation?, which  he  found  in  a  thriving  condition;  for 
which,  and  other  benefits  already  received,  he  re- 
solves, as  in  duty  bound,  to  attend  at  his  usual  place 
of  worship,  and  sing  tlianksgiving  psalms,  which  the 
hardness  of  the  weather  had  kept  him  from  all  the 
late  winter;  but  it  coming  into  his  mind  that  whilst 
he  was  at  his  devotion,  returning  thanks  for  the  fair 
prospect  of  a  plentiful  crop,  his  antelopes  would 
break  into  the  close,  the  hedge  being  as  yet  but  thiu, 
and  devour  the  promising  buds,  which  are  ihe  prin- 
cipal occasion  of  his  devotion  ;  this  not  altogether  im- 
proper consideration  puts  a  sad  check  to  his  religions 
intention  ;  and  though  there  was  a  vast  obligation  to 
prompt  him  to  the  performance  of  that  part  of  his 
duty,  yet  he  could  not,  with  wisdom,  run  the  hazard, 
out  of  mere  devotion,  to  lose  so  promising  a 
crop,  which  he  should  never  be  able  to  retrieve,  all 
his  stock  of  seed  being  then  in  grass. 

As  he  was  debating  in  his  mind  between  relijion 
and  reason,  whether  the  latter  ought  not  to  be  a  di- 
rector to  the  former,  he  perceived  his  antelopes 
making  towards  the  peas,  whither  they,  doubtless, 
would  have  got  in,  had  he  not  returned,  and  driven 
them  another  way  :  which  accident  convinced  him  he 
might  find  a  more  proper  time  to  go  about  his  devo- 
tion, no  man  being  required  to  worship  to  his  pre- 
judice. So,  having  put  off  his  religious  duty  till  he 
had  better  secured  his  peas  and  beans,  he  cuts  a 
parcel  of  branches,  wherewith  he  stops  those  gaps 
to  prevent  those  creatures  going  in  ;  and,  having 
completed  his  work,  he  goes  to  his  devotion,  addiug 
to  his  usual  thanksgiving  a  particular  collect  for  his 
luckily  being  in  the  way  to  prevent  his  being  frus- 
trated of  the  blessing  Heaven  so  fairly  promised  to 
bestow  on  his  labours. 

Having  paid  his  devotion,  he  walks  about  the 
island,  being  all  the  way  delighted  with  the   birds 


190  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

celebrating  their  Maker's  praise,  in  tlicir  different 
harmonious  notes.  "  Every  thing  in  nature,"  said 
he,  "  answers  the  end  of  its  creation  but  ungrateful 
man  !  who,  ambitious  to  be  wise  as  his  Creator,  only 
learns  to  make  liimself  wretched."  Thus  he  walks 
till  tiie  evening,  making  several  reflections  on  the 
dilTerent  condiiions  of  men,  preferring  his  present 
State  to  that  of  Adam  before  his  fall,  who  could  not 
be  sensible  of  happiness,  having  never  known  a  re- 
verse;  which,  otherwise,  he  would  have  been  more 
careful  to  prevent.  Being  come  home,  and  near 
bed-time,  lie  first  eats  his  supper  ;  and  then,  having 
performed  his  customary  religious  service,  he  goes  to 
bed.  The  next  morning,  after  paying  his  usual  de- 
votion, he  takes  a  walk  to  his  plantations,  on  which 
lie  implores  a  continuation  of  the  prosperous  con- 
dition they  appear  to  be  in  ;  next,  he  goes  to  examine 
hisnet>,  in  wliich  he  hnds  a  brace  of  fowls  like  ducks, 
but  twice  as  lari^e,  and  exceeding  beautitul.  The 
drake  (which  he  knew  by  a  coloured  feather  on  his 
rump)  was  of  a  fine  cinnainou  coKmr  upmi  his  back, 
his  breait  of  a  ma/arine  blue,  his  belly  of  a  deep 
orange,  his  neck  gnen,  his  head  purple,  his  eyes,  bill, 
and  leet,  red  ;  every  coUmr  changing  niosi  agreeably 
as  they  moved.  The  duck  was  also  very  beautiful, 
but  of  quite-  different  colours,  and  much  paler  than 
the  drake's. 

The  disappointment  in  catching  those  delightful 
fowls,  instead  of  ravenous  eagles,  as  he  had  pur- 
posed, no  ways  displeased  him,  but  lie  raiher  was 
rejoiced  to  have  such  beautiful  fowls  to  look  at,  yet 
it  went  much  against  his  mind  to  deprive  those 
creatures  of  iheir  liberty  (the  greatest  comfort  in 
life)  which  Nature  took  such  pains  to  adorn.  "  Bnt," 
fcaid  he,  "  they  were  created  for  the  use  of  man  ;  so, 
in  keeping  them  for  my  pleasure,  they  will  but 
answer  the  end  of  their  creation.  Their  confine- 
ment shall  be  no  stricter  than  mv  own,  they  shall 
2»ave  the  whole  island  to  lange  in."  He  then  pinions 


THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  191 

them,  pnt3  them  in  the  pond,  and  makes  baskets 
for  them  to  shelter  in,  which  he  places  in  the 
branches  of  those  trees  that  hung  closest  to  the 
water,  taking  particular  care  to  feed  them  daily  with 
roots  roasted  and  boiled,  and  the  guts  of  the  fish, 
and  other  creatures,  he  used  for  his  own  eating; 
which  made  them  thrive  mainly,  and  take  to  the 
place  ;  so  that  they  bred  in  their  season. 

The  five  antelopes  had  by  this  time  kidded,  and 
brought  sixteen  young  ones;  his  peas  ami  beans 
also  were  wonderfully  improved,  having  that  sea- 
son enough  to  stock  the  ground  the  year  following. 
Thus  he  returned  kind  Providence  ihanks  for  the 
vast  increase,  and  concludes  to  live  upon  the  young 
antelopes  as  long  as  they  lasted,  reserving  only  one 
for  suck  of  the  old  ones,  to  keep  them  in  jnilk,  of 
which  he  had  taken  notice  they  had  plenty,  design- 
ing to  draw  it  daily  for  his  own  use  ;  so  that  in  a 
little  time  he  had  enough  to  skiiii  for  cream,  which 
he  used  for  sauce  instead  of  butter,  and  made  small 
cheeses  of  the  rest.  Now,  having  a  pretty  store  of 
dairy-ware,  he  resolves  to  make  a  place  to  keep  it 
in,  the  kitchen  \\herein  he  was  obliged  to  lay  his 
salt-fish  (which  commonly  smells  strong)  not  being 
a  proper  place  for  cream  and  milk  ;  for  which  end 
he  makes  a  dairy-house  at  the  other  side  of  his 
dwelling  with  branches  of  trees,  after  the  manner 
of  a  close  arbour,  and  thatches  it  over  with  grass, 
which,  answering  the  kitchen  in  form  and  situation, 
made  uniform  wings,  that  added  as  much  to  the 
beauty  as  conveniency  of  the  habitation. 

Having  completed  his  dairy,  he  proceeds  in  his 
esoliition  of  making  cheese,  having  learnt  the  way 
n  Holland  ;  and,  for  want  of  rennet  to  turn  his 
flilk,  he  takes  some  of  the  horse-radish  seed,  which 
/eingof  a  hot  nature,  had  the  same  effect.  Having 
nrd  to  his  mind,  he  seasons  it  to  his  palate,  then 
with  his  hatchet  he  cuts  a  notch  round  in  the  bark 
of  a  tree,  about  eighteen  inches  in   circumference. 


1C2  THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT. 

and  a  spcond  in  the  ?ame  manner,  six  inr*ies  below 
mat;  then  slits  the  circle,  and  witli  his  knife  gently 
opens  it,  purling  it  from  the  tree.  Thus  lie  nifikes 
as  many  hoops  as  he  judged  wonld  contain  liis 
paste,  which,  being  girded  round  witli  cords  to  keep 
tliein  from  opening,  he  fills  with  the  said  paste,  and 
lays  them  by  till  tit  to  «at. 

This  being  done,  which  completed  his  provisions, 
he  returns  thanks  for  those  blessings  which  had  been 
so  liberally  bestowed  on  him.  "  Now,"  said  he, 
"  Heaven  be  praised  !  I  exceed  a  prince  in  happi- 
ness :  I  have  a  habitation  strong  and  lasting,  be.ni- 
tiful  and  convenient,  freehold  ;  a  store  of  comforts, 
■with  all  necessaries  of  life  at  free  cost,  which  I  en- 
joy with  peace  and  pleasure  uncontrolled  :  yet  I 
think  there  is  still  something  wanting  to  complete 
my  happiness;  if  a  partner  in  grief  lessens  sorrow, 
certainly  it  must  in  delight  augment  pleasure.  What 
objects  of  admiration  are  here  concealed,  and,  like 
a  miser's  treasure,  hid  from  the  world  !  If  man, 
who  was  created  for  bliss,  could  have  been  com- 
pletely happy  alone,  he  would  not  have  had  a  com- 
panion given  him."  Thus  he  walks  about  thought- 
ful till  bed-time. 

In  that  disposition  he  goes  to  bed,  and  soon  fell 
asleep.  The  night  also  being  windy  added  to  his 
heavy  disposition  ;  but  his  mind  finds  no  repose ;  it 
still  runs  on  upon  the  subject  that  took  it  up  the  day 
before,  and  forms  ideas  suitable  to  his  inclination  : 
and,  as  solitude  was  the  motive  of  its  being  disturbed, 
he  indulges  ii  with  the  thoughts  of  company,  dream 
ing  that  the  fame  of  his  station,  and  happy  state  of 
life,  was  spread  about  the  world  ;  that  it  prompted 
a  vast  number  of  people,  from  all  parts,  to  come  to 
it,  which  at  last  induced  several  princes  to  claim  a 
right  to  it ;  which  being  decided  by  a  bloody  war, 
a  governor  was  sent,  who  laid  taxes,  demanded 
tiuties,  raised  rents,  and  warns  him  to  be  gone, 
naviiig  fixed  upon  his  habitation  for  himself  todvNcU 


TH&  jsnglisu  hermit.  19S 

in.  Beina:  sadly  disturbed,  he  cries  out  in  his 
sleep — "  This  a  great  punishment  lor  my  uneasi- 
ness :  cotild  I  not  be  contented  with  being  lord  of 
this  island,  without  provoking  Heaven  to  bring  me 
under  the  power  of  extorting  governors  !" 

There  happening  a  great  noise,  he  starts  out  of 
his  sleep,  with  the  thought  of  hearing  a  proclama 
tion  ;  and  cried  out — "  Alas  !  it  is  too  late  to  pro- 
claim an  evil  \\hich  is  already  come."  But  being 
thoroughly  awake,  and  the  noise  still  continuing, 
he  found  he  had  been  dreaming,  which  very  much 
rejoiced  him:  he  therefore  puts  on  his  clotlies,  and 
hastens  to  the  place  he  heard  the  noise  come  from. 

Being  within  forty  or  fifty  yards  thereof,  he  saw 
a  number  of  monkeys  of  two  ditterent  kinds,  one 
sort  squealing  and  lighting  against  the  other,  with- 
out intermixing,  but  still  rallying,  as  they  scattered 
in  the  sciifHe.  He  stood  some  time  admiring  the 
order  they  kept  in  ;  and  the  battle  still  continuing 
as  fierce  as  at  first,  he  advanced  to  see  what  they 
fought  about;  for  he  took  notice  they  very  much 
strove  to  keep  their  ground. 

At  his  approach  the  battle  ceased,  and  the  com- 
batants, retiring  at  some  distance,  left  the  spot  of 
ground,  on  which  they  fought,  clear;  whereon  lay  a 
considerable  quantity  of  v\ild  pomegranates  which 
the  wind  had  shook  olf  the  trees  the  night  before, 
and  which  weie  the  occasion  of  their  strife. 

His  coming  having  caused  a  trnce,  every  one  of 
those  creatures  keeping  still  and  quiet  during  his 
stay,  he  resolves  to  use  his  endeavours  to  make  a 
solid  peace,  and  as  that  ditference  had  arisen  from 
the  fruit  there  present,  to  which  he  could  see  no 
reason  but  that  each  kind  had  an  equal  right,  he 
divides  it  into  two  equal  parcels,  which  he  lays  op- 
posite to  each  other  towards  both  the  parties,  retiring 
a  liitle  way,  to  see  whetlier  this  expedient  would 
decide  the  quarrel,  which  answered  his  intention,, 
those  animals  quietly  coming  to  that  share  next  to 

o 


mi  THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT. 

them,  and  peaceably  carrying  it  away,  each  to  their 
qi'artei  s.  This  occasioned  several  reflections  on  the 
frivolous,  and  often  unjii«t,  quarrels  tliat  arise 
amoni;  princes,  which  create  such  bloody  wars  as 
Drove  the  destrnciion  of  vast  nnmbers  oi  their  sub- 
jects. "  ]f  nionarchs,"  said  he,  "  always  acted  with 
as  much  reason  as  the«e  creatures,  how  nuuh  blood 
and  money  would  they  save!"  Thus  goes  on  to  his 
usual  place  of  worship,  in  order  to  return  thanks 
that  he  was  free  of  that  evil,  the  dream  whereof 
had  bO  tortured  his  mind;  th»)ugh  he  confessed  he 
justly  deserved  the  reality,  for  his  uneasiness  in  the 
happiest  of  circumstances. 

Having  ptid  his  devotion,  he  takes  a  walk  to  see 
how  his  peas  and  beans  came  on,  which  he  found 
in  a  very  imp  roving  <li~position,  each  stem  bearing 
a  vast  runiber  of  well-lilled  pods.  "  Heaven  be 
praised  !"  said  he,  "  I  shall  eat  of  this  year's  crop, 
and  h?tve  sulhcient  to  stock  my  Lround  the  ensuing 
one  " 

Thus  being  plentifidly  supplied  with  necessaries, 
and  in  a  pleasant  island,  every  thing  about  him  be- 
ing come  to  perfection,  his  dwelling,  which  sei  ms 
intended  by  nature  for  some  immortal  guest,  being 
by  time,  yearly  repaired  and  improved,  leaving  no 
room  for  care  ;  yet  the  unwise  man,  as  if  an  enemy 
to  his  own  ease,  cannot  be  contented  wi  h  the  en- 
joyment of  more  than  he  could  reasonably  crave, 
but  must  distuib  his  mind  with  what  concerns  him 
not.  "  What  pity,"  said  he,  "  so  delightful  a  habi- 
tation, attended  with  such  conveniences,  and  situ- 
ated in  so  wholesome  an  air,  and  fruiifid  a  land, 
should  at  my  death  lose  all  those  wonderful  proper- 
ties, and  become  useless  for  want  of  somebody  to 
enjoy  them!  What  admiration  will  here  be  lost 
for  want  of  beholders  !  But  what  kind  of  man 
could  I  settle  it  upon,  worthy  of  so  fine  an  inherit- 
ance ?  Were  it  at  my  pleasure  to  choose  myself  an 
heir,  such   only  appear  virtuous  vfbose  weak  nature 


THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  105 

confides  to  chastity.  Every  constitution  cannot  bear 
excess  :  \vant  of  courage  occa?i(ins  mildness,  and 
lack  of  str<fngtli  good  teniper ;  thus  virtue  is  made 
a  cloak  to  inlirmity.  But  why  do  I  thus  willingly 
hamper  myself  with  those  cares  Providence  has 
been  pleased  to  free  me  of? 

"  Leave  the  miser  the  knowing^  carp, 
Who'll  succeed  him,  or  be  his  heir; 
That  racks  his  soul  with  discontent, 
Lest  what  he  rak'd  for  should  be  spent. 
Hisg^old  to  him  is  f;ir  more  dear, 
Than  all  hU  fiieiids  or  kindred  near." 
Thnshe  holds  the  Island  from  Providence:  freely 
he  bequeaths  it  to  whom  Providence  shall  think  tit 
to  bestow  it  upon:  and,  that  his  heir  may  the  better 
know  the  worth  of  the  gift,  he  draws  a  maj)  of  the 
whole  estate;  and  made  an    inventory  of  every  in- 
dividual tenement,  appurtenances,  messuages,  goods 
and   chattels,  and  also  a  draught  of  the    terms   and 
conditions  he  is  to  hold  the  here  mentioned  posses- 
sions upon  ;  viz. 

Imprimis,  A  fair  and  most  pleasant  island,  richly 
stocked  with  fine  trees,  and  adorned  with  several 
delightful  groves,  planted  and  improved  by  Nature, 
stored  with  choice  and  delicious  roots  and  plants  for 
food,  bearing  peas  and  beans;  likewise  a  noble  fish- 
pond, well  stocked  with  divers  sorts  of  curious  tish  ; 
and  a  spacious  wood,  harbouring  several  sorts  of 
wild-fowl,  and  beasts  tit  for  a  king's  table. 

Item,  A  dwelling  commenced  by  Art,  improved 
by  Nature,  and  completed  by  Time,  which  yearly 
keeps  it  in  repair,  as  also  its  furniture. 

Item,  The  otficesand  appurtenances  thereof,  with 
the  utensils  thereunto  bel()nging;  which  said  island, 
dwelling,  &c.  are  freehold,  and  clear  from  taxes;  in 
no  temporal  dominion,  therefore  screened  from  any 
impositions,  duties,  and  exactions  ;  defended  by  Na« 
lure  from  invasions  or  assaults;  guarded  and  sup» 
ported  by  Providence.  All  which  incomparable  pos- 
sessions are  to  be  held  upon  the  following  terms,  vil, 
o  2 


no  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

That  whosoever  shall  be  by  Providence  settled  in 
this  bles«cd  abode,  shall,  morning  and  evening, 
constanily  (unless  prevented  by  ill  weather  or  acci- 
dent) attend  at  the  cast  side  of  this  island,  and  witlkin 
the  alcove  Nature  prepared  for  the  lodgment  of 
several  harmonious  echoes,  and  there  pay  bis  devo- 
tion, sinijing  thanksgiving  -  psalms  to  the  great 
Origin  and  Director  of  all  things,  whose  praises  he 
will  have  the  comfort  to  hear  repeated  by  melodious 
voices. 

Next,  he  shall  religionsly  observe  and  keep  a 
8eventli-day  for  worship  only,  from  the  rising  of 
the  sun  till  the  going  down  thereof:  therefore  he 
shall,  the  day  before,  make  all  necessary  provision 
for  that  day. 

That  he  shall,  after  any  tempestuous  wind  or  storm, 
visit  the  sea  at  the  outside  of  the  rock,  at  the  east, 
south,  west,  and  north  ends,  in  order  to  assist  any 
one  in  distress. 

He  shall  not  be  wasteful  of  any  thing  whatsoever, 
especially  of  any  creature's  life,  killing  no  more 
than  what  is  necessary  for  his  health  :  but  shal' 
every  day  examine  his  nets,  setting  at  liberty  the 
overplus  of  his  necessity,  lest  they  should  perish  in 
their  confinement. 

He  must  also  keep  every  thing  in  the  same  order 
and  cleanness  he  shall  find  them  in  ;  till  and  manure 
the  ground  yearly  ;  set  and  sow  plants  and  seeds, 
fit  for  food,  in  their  proper  seasons. 

Having  written  this  at  the  bottom  of  the  map  he 
had  drawn,  being  supper-time,  he  takes  his  meal ; 
then  goes  to  his  usual  evening  devotion  ;  and,  after 
an  hour's  walk,  to  his  bed,  sleeping  quietly  all  night, 
as  being  easy  in  his  mind. 

The  next  morning  he  takes  his  usual  walks,  and 
visits  his  nets.  In  that  he  had  set  for  eagles,  be 
found  a  fowl  as  big  as  a  turkey,  but  the  colour  of  a 
pheasant,  only  a  tail  like  a  partridge  :  this  having 
DO  sign  of  being  a  bird  of  prey,  be  was  loth  to  kiU 


THE    ENGLISH    HERMIT.  107 

it ;  but  having  had  no  fresh  meat  for  above  a  week, 
he  yields  to  his  appetite,  and  dresses  it,  eating  part 
thereof  for  his  dinner:  it  was  very  fat  and  plump, 
and  ate  niucli  like  a  pheasant,  but  rather  tenderer, 
and  fuller  of  gravy. 

Though  he  was  very  well  pleased  with  the  bird 
he  had  taken,  yet  he  had  rather  it  had  been  one  of 
the  eagles  which  kept  his  young  antelopes  in 
jeopardy  :  but  as  he  could  not  destroy  Ihem  with 
his  net,  which  had  hung  a  considerable  time  with 
out  the  intende*^,  success,  he  projects  the  prevention 
of  their  increase  by  destroying  their  eggs,  leaving 
his  nets  wholly  for  the  use  they  had  been  successful 
in;  and  searches  the  clefts  ol  the  rock  next  to  the 
sea,  where  those  birds  commonly  build  ;  where  hav- 
iag  found  several  nests,  he  takes  away  the  eggs 
that  were  in  them,  being  tiien  their  breeding  time, 
and  carries  them  home,  in  order  to  empty  the  shells, 
and  hang  tlsem  up  and  down  in  his  habitation, 
amongst  the  green  leaves  which  covered  the  ceiling 
thereof;  but  having  accidentally  broke  one,  and  the 
yolk  and  white  thereof  being  like  that  of  a  turkey, 
he  had  the  curiosity  to  boil  one,  and  taste  it,  which 
ate  much  after  the  manner  of  a  swan's  :  the  rest  he 
saved  to  eat  now  and  then  for  a  change,  reaping  a 
double  advantage  by  robbing  those  birds  ;  lessening 
thereby  the  damage  they  might  do  him  in  time,  and 
adding  a  dish  to  his  present  fare. 

In  this  prosperous  way  he  lived  fifteen  years, 
finding  no  alteration  in  the  weather  or  seasons,  nor 
meeting  in  all  the  time  with  any  transactions  worthy 
of  record:  still  performing  his  usual  exercises,  and 
taking  his  walks  with  all  the  satisfaction  his  happy 
condition  could  procure ;  entirely  forsaking  all 
thoughts  and  desires  of  ever  quitting  the  blessed 
station  he  then  had  in  his  possession. 

Thus  having  walked  the  island  over  and  over, 
(which  tiiough  delightful,  yet  the  frequent  repetition 
of  U»e  wonders  it  produces  renders  them,  as  it  w ere. 


198  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

common  and  less  admirable)  he  proceeds  to  view 
the  sea,  whose  fluid  element,  being  ever  iu  motion, 
daily  affords  new  objects  of  admiration. 

The  day  being  very  fair,  and  the  weather  as  calm, 
he  sat  down  upon  the  rock,  taking  pleasure  in  see- 
ing the  waves  roll,  and,  as  it  were,  chase  one  another; 
the  next  pMrsiiing  the  first,  on  which  it  rides,  when 
come  at;  and  being  itself  overtaken  by  a  succeeding, 
is  also  mounted  on  thus,  wave  upon  wave,  till,  come 
to  a  bulky  body,  too  heavy  for  the  undermost  to 
bear,  sunk  all  togtther.  "This,"  said  he,"  is  a  true 
emblem  of  ambition ;  men,  striving  to  outdo  one 
another,  are  often  undone." 

As  he  was  making  reflections  on  the  emptiness 
of  vanity  and  pride,  returning  Heaven  thanks  that 
he  was  separated  from  the  world,  which  abounds 
in  nothing  else;  a  ship  appears  at  a  great  distance, 
a  sight  he  had  not  seen  since  his  siiip wreck.  "  Un- 
lucky invention  !"  said  he,  "that  thou  should'stever 
come  into  men's  thoughts!  The  Ark,  which  gave 
the  first  notion  of  a  floating  habitation,  was  ordered 
for  the  preservation  of  man  ;  but  its  fatal  copies 
daily  expose  him  to  destruction."  Having  there- 
fore returned  Heaven  tlianks  for  his  being  out  of 
those  dangers,  he  makes  a  solemn  vow,  never  to 
return  into  them  again,  though  it  were  to  gain  the 
world.  But  his  resolution  proved  as  brittle  as  his 
nati.ire  wr.s  frail  :  the  men  on  board  had  spied  him 
out  with  their  perspective  glasses;  and,  supposing 
him  to  be  shipwreiked,  and  to  want  relief,  sent 
their  hmg-boat  with  two  men  to  fetch  him  away. 

At  their  approach  his  heart  alters  its  motion  ;  his 
blood  stops  from  its  common  course  ;  his  sinews  are 
all  stagnated  ;  which  entirely  unframcs  his  reason, 
and  makes  him  a  stranger  to  his  own  inclination  ; 
which  strusgling  with  Ids  wavering  resolution  oc- 
casions a  debate  between  hope  hnd  fear  :  but  the 
boat,  being  come  pretty  nigh,  gave  hope  the  advan- 
tage, and  his  late   resolution  yields  to  his  revived 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  199 

inclination ;  which  being  now  encouraged  by  a 
probable  opportunity  of  beinK  answered,  rushes  on 
to  execution.  He  now,  quitting  all  liis  former  re- 
liance on  Providence,  depends  aliogetiier  upon  his 
getting  away,  blessing  the  lucky  opportunity  of 
seeing  his  blessed  country  again,  tor  wiiich  pleasure 
he  freely  quits  and  forsakes  all  the  happiness  he 
enjoyed!  gladly  abandoning  his  dtligiittul  habita- 
tion, and  plentiful  island.  He  thinks  no  more  of 
Providence;  his  mind  is  entirely  taken  up  with  his 
voyage.  But  disappointment,  which  often  attends 
the  greatest  probabiliiies,  snatches  success  out  of 
his  hand  before  he  could  grasp  it,  and  intercepts  his 
supposedly  infallible  lefreat  :  the  boat  could  not 
approach  hini,  by  reason  of  the  rocks  running  a 
great  way  into  the  sea  under  water;  nor  could  he 
come  at  the  boat  for  sharp  points,  and  deep  holes, 
which  made  it  unfordable,  as  well  as  unnavigable  ; 
so  that  after  several  hours'  striving  in  vain  on  both 
Bides,  to  come  at  one  another,  the  men,  after  they 
had  strove  all  they  could,  but  to  no  purpose,  said 
something  to  him  in  a  rage,  which  he  understood 
not,  and  went  without  him,  more  wretched  now 
than  he  was  when  he  was  first  cast  a'.vay.  His  full 
dependence  upon  a  retreat  made  liim  abandon  all 
further  reliatice  on  Providence,  whom  then  he 
could  implore;  but  now,  having  ungratefully  despised 
Heaven's  bounties,  which  had  been  so  largely  be- 
stowed on  him,  he  has  forfeited  all  hopes  of  assist- 
ance thence,  and  expects  none  from  the  world. 
Thus  de-titnfe,  and  in  the  greatest  pe'plexity,  he 
cries  out — "  Whither  shall  I  now  fly  tor  help  i  The 
world  can  give  me  none,  and  I  dare  not  crave  any 
more  from  Heaven.  O  cursed  delusion!  but  rather 
cursed  weakness!  Why  did  I  give  way  to  it? 
Had  I  not  enough  of  the  world,  or  was  I  grown 
weary  of  being  iiappy  .'"  So  saying,  he  talis  a 
weeping.  "  Could  I  shed  a  flood  t>f  tears,  sufticient 
to  wash  away  my  fault,  or  ease  me  of  the  remorse 


300  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

it  does  create  !  But  why  does  my  distracted  fancy 
propose  impossibilities?  Is  not  the  ocean  siifficient 
to  rid  me  of  this  wretched  life  ?  Then  adien,  infec- 
tious world,  tliou  magician  of  iniquity  !  The  thoughts 
of  which  are  now  more  offensive  than  the  mo?t 
nauseous  odour  of  an  old  sepulchre."  Here  he  was 
going  to  cast  himself  into  the  sea;  but  a  vast  laic^e 
monster,  rising  out  of  the  water,  with  its  terrible 
jaws  wide  open,  looking  at  him  in  a  most  dreadful 
manner,  stopped  the  execution  of  his  desperate 
design.  Thus,  Death  appearing  in  a  different  shape 
than  he  had  proposed  to  meet  him  in,  frightens  away 
his  resolution  of  dying.  "  I  may,"  said  he,  "con- 
demn myself:  but  vengeance  belongs  to  God  alone, 
who  rejects  not  tears  of  repentance,  but  always 
extends  his  mercies  towards  the  penitent ;  and  since 
St.  Peter,  after  thrice  denying  his  Lord  and  Master, 
was,  by  repenting  and  weeping  over  his  sin,  re- 
ceived again  into  favour,  I  hope  these  my  weak, 
but  sincere,  tokens  of  repentance,  will  be  accepted 
of,  for  ever  divorcing  myself  from  the  world,  and 
never  thinking  of  its  alluring  pleasures,  biU  to  des- 
pise them."  And,  for  the  better  performance  of 
that  pious  resolution,  he  sets  that  wofnl  day  apart 
(in  which  he  was  about  to  commit  that  fatal  deed) 
for  prayer  and  fasting.  Thus  he  went  home,  and 
having  ate  nothing  since  the  day  before,  he  spent 
the  remainder  of  the  day  in  fasting  and  praying ; 
singing  penitential  psalms  till  dark  night,  that 
nature  urged  him  to  repose. 

Tiie  pains  and  labour  he  had  been  at  in  the  day, 
climbing  up  and  down  tlie  rock,  dragging  himself  to 
and  fro,  to  come  at  the  boat,  having  very  much 
racked  his  limbs;  and  the  disappointment  of  his 
full  dependance  on  the  late  promising  success,  as 
also  the  tormenting  remorse,  and  heavy  grief,  for 
his  sinful  reliance  thereon,  much  fatigninii  his  mind, 
rendered  sleep,  which  is  ordained  for  the  refresh- 
ment of  nature,  of  no  manner  of  help  to  him  ;   bU 


THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  201 

thoughts  are  continually  disturbed  with  frightfnl 
visions  ;  all  his  past  dangers  glare  at  him,  as  if 
threatening  their  return  ;  but  that  which  terrified 
him  most  was  the  frightful  idea  of  the  terrible 
monster  which  rose  out  of  the  sea  at  that  instant  he 
was  going  to  plunge  himself  in  it. 

Being  awaked  out  of  his  restless  sleep,  rather 
more  fatigued  than  when  he  lay  down,  having  still 
the  terrible  aspect  of  the  sea-monster  in  his  mind, 
he  made  several  reflections  on  the  execrable  nature 
of  his  intended  sin;  admiring  the  immense  gtiodness 
of  Providence,  vvlio,  to  deter  him  from  committing 
the  enormous  act,  had  ordered  that  (beyond  imagi- 
nation) terrible  object,  as  the  most  suitable  to  the 
barbarity  of  his  design,  to  strike  into  him  that 
terror  which  the  species  of  death  he  had  fixed  upon 
could  not.  Thus  having  with  tears  acknouledged 
the  enormity  of  his  resolution,  he  returns  Providence 
thanks  for  its  inestimable  goodness,  who,  notwilh-. 
standing  his  late  most  ungrateful  elopement,  pre- 
served him  from  eternal,  as  well  as  temporal,  ruin. 
Having  paid  liis  devotion,  and  sung  a  thanks-giving 
psalm,  he  takes  a  little  nourisliment,  his  spirits  being 
low  with  ills  past  fatigue  and  fasting  ;  and  as  he 
could  not  put  out  of  his  eyes  tlie  terrible  aspect  of 
the  monster,  which  was  beyond  any  ciiimerical  con- 
ception, he  resolves  to  draw  it  according  to  tlie  idea 
he  had  in  his  mind.  "  Perhaps,"  said  he,  "  having 
often  tlie  representation  before  my  eyes,  it  will 
make  the  object  more  familiar  and  le-s  frightful." 
Taking,  therefore,  pen  and  ink,  and  a  sheet  of 
parchment — "  Now,"  said  he,  "  how  shall  I  repre- 
sent what  is  past  imagination  to  conceive  ?  A  form 
without  likeness,  and  yet  comparable  to  the  most 
terrible  part  of  every  frightful  creature  ;  a  large 
head,  resembling  that  of  a  lion,  bearing  three  pair 
of  horns  ;  one  pair  upright,  like  that  of  an  anleK)pe  ; 
another  pair  like  a  wild  goat's  ;  two  more  bending 
backwards ;  it's   face   armed  all   round  with  darts, 


202  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

like  a  porcupine  ;  vast  great  eyes,  sparkling  like  a 
flint  struck  wiili  a  steel ;  its  nose  like  a  wild 
horse,  always  snarling; ;  the  mouth  of  a  lion,  and 
teeth  of  a  panther  ;  the  fences  of  an  elephant,  and 
the  tusks  of  a  wild  boar  ;  shouldered  like  a  giant ; 
with  claws  like  an  eagle  ;  bodied  and  covered  with 
shells  like  a  rhinoceros,  and  the  colour  of  a  cro- 
codile." 

Having  likene'l  every  different  part,  he  proceeds 
in  the  representation  thereof;  which  being  finished, 
put  hJMi  in  the  greatest  admiration.  "  Sure,"  said 
he,  "  if  Nature  had  a  hand  in  thy  making,  it  was 
to  assemble,  in  one  creature,  all  the  fiercest  and 
dreadfullest  animals  that  are  most  frightful  and 
terrible  I  Now,  perhaps,  this  being  constantly 
before  me,  may  come  less  in  my  mind."  Then 
fixing  it  against  his  wall — "  This,"  said  he,  •' will 
be  also  a  memorandum  of  my  late  vow,  never  to 
endeavour  to  wish  to  go  hence,  whatever  opportu- 
nity offers,  though  attended  with  ever  so  great  a 
probability  of  success,  and  prospect  of  gain  ;"  fully 
settling  his  whole  mind  and  aftection  on  the  state 
and  condition  Heaven  had  been  pleased  to  place 
him  in ;  resolving  to  let  nothing  enter  into  his 
thc)nglits,  but  his  most  grateful  duty  to  so  ireat  a 
benefactor,  who  had  so  olten  and  miraculously 
rescued  him  from  death. 

Thus  having  entirely  banished  the  world  out  of 
his  mind,  which  before  often  disturbed  it,  he  limits 
his  thoughts  within  the  bounds  of  his  blessed  pos- 
tession,  which  affords  him  more  than  is  sufficient  to 
make  his  lite  happy  ;  where  plenty  flows  on  him, 
and  pleasure  attends  his  de>ires  ;  abounding  in  all 
things  that  can  gratify  his  appetite,  or  delight  his 
fancy.  A  herd  of  delightful  antelopes,  bounding 
and  playing  about  his  habitation,  divert  him  at 
nome  ;  and  in  his  walks  he  is  entertained  with  the 
harmony  of  divers  kinds  of  singing  birds  ;  every- 
place he   comes    at    offers     him    new    objects    for 


THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  203 

pleasure  :  thus  all  seems  to  concur  in  completing 
his  happiness. 

In  this  most  blessed  state  he  thinks  Jiimself  as 
Adam  before  his  f.dl,  having  no  room  for  wishes, 
only  that  every  thing  may  continue  in  its  present 
condition  ;  but  it  cannot  he  expecteti  that  fair  wea- 
ther, whicli  smiles  on  his  beauty,  will  not  change. 
The  sun  must  go  its  course,  and  tlie  seasons  take 
their  turn  ;  whit'i  considerations  must,  for  the 
present,  admit  some  small  care.  He  is  naked,  and 
his  tender  constitution  susceptible  of  the  cold  ; 
therefore,  the  clothes  he  was  cast  away  in  being  worn 
out,  he  is  obliged  to  think  of  i  roviding  something  to 
defend  his  limbs  from  tlie  hardness  of  the  approach- 
ing winter,  whilst  it  is  yet  warm.  Having  considered 
what  to  make  a  wrapper  of,  he  concludes  upon  using 
some  of  the  same  grass  hemadeliis  mats  of,  on  which 
he  lay,  being  soft  and  warm,  very  lit  for  that  pur- 
pose ;  of  this  lie  cuts  down  a  sufficient  quantity,  which, 
when  ready  to  work,  he  makes  small  t«ine  with, 
and  plaits  it  in  narrow  braids,  whicli  he  sews  toge- 
ther with  some  of  the  same,  and  sliapes  a  long  loose 
gown,  that  covered  him  to  his  heels,  and  a  cap  of 
the  sanie. 

By  the  time  he  had  finished  his  winter-garb,  the 
weather  was  grown  cold  enough  for  him  to  put  it 
on.  The  frosty  season  came  on  apace,  in  which 
there  fell  such  a  quantity  of  snow  that  he  was  forced 
to  make  a  broom,  and  sweep  it  away  from  about 
his  habitation  twice  a  day ;  as  also  the  same  he 
made  to  the  places  he  had  occasion  to  go  to,  tossing 
the  snow  on  each  side,  wliich,  before  the  winter 
was  over,  met  a-top,  and  covered  it  all  the  way, 
which  obliged  him  to  keep  within  doors  for  a  con- 
siderable time,  and  melt  snow  instead  of  water  ; 
lest,  going  for  some,  he  might  chance  to  be  buried 
among  the  snow. 

The  winter  being  over,  and  the  snow  dissolved, 
the  gay  spring  advances   apace,  offering  nature   its 


204  THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT. 

nsual  assistance,  repairing  the  damages  the  latefros* 
had  done,  which  joyful  tidings  made  tv«i y  thing 
smile.  Qiiarll  also,  tinding  himself  revistd,  ti>ok 
his  former  walks,  which  the  preceding  b:i(i  weatliei 
had  kept  him  from,  thongh  there  had  been  no  con 
siderable  storm  the  winter  before. 

He  having  a  mind  to  view  the  sea,  and  being 
come  to  the  outside  of  the  north-west  end  of  the 
rock,  sees  at  the  foot  thereof  something  'ike  part  of 
the  body  of  a  large  hollow  tree,  tlie  ends  whereof 
were  stopped  with  its  own  pitch,  and  tlie  middle, 
which  was  slit  open  from  end  to  end,  and  kept 
gaping  by  a  stick  laid  across. 

This  put  him  in  mind  of  canoes,  with  which  the 
Indians  paddle  np  and  down  their  lakes  and  rivers; 
and,  being  on  that  side  of  the  rock  next  the  i^land 
of  California,  he  fancied  some  of  them  were  come 
to  visit  this  island,  thongh  not  many  in  number, 
their  canoes  holding  at  the  most,  but  two  men  ;  and 
for  the  generality,  one  only  :  yet,  as  some  of  these 
people  are  accounted  great  thieves,  daily  robbing 
one  another,  he  hastens  home  to  secure  what  he 
had,  but  it  was  too  late  :  they  had  been  there 
already,  and  had  taken  away  the  clothes  he  found 
in  the  chest;  which  being  by  far  too  little  for  him, 
hung  carelessly  on  a  pin  behind  his  door.  Had 
they  been  contented  with  that,  he  would  not  have 
regarded  it  ;  but  they  carried  away  some  of  his 
curious  fish,  and,  what  gr'eved  him  most,  the  fine 
bird  he  had  taken  such  pains  to  dress  and  stuflf,  and 
care  to  preserve  ;  as  also  hi>  bows  and  arrows. 

Having  missed  these  things,  which  he  much 
valued,  he  hastens  to  the  outside  of  the  rock,  with 
his  long  stalt"  in  his  hand,  in  hopes  to  overtake 
them  before  they  could  get  into  their  canoe  ;  but 
happened  to  go  too  late,  they  being  already  got 
near  half  a  ieaeue  from  the  rock.  Yet  they  did  not 
carry  away  their  theft :  for  there  arising  some  wind, 
it  made  the  sea  somewhat  rough,  and  overset  their 


THB  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  205 

canoe  ;  so  that  whajt  was  in  it  was  all  lost  but  the 
two  Indians,  who  niost  dexterously  turned  it  on  its 
bottom  Hgain,  and  with  surpiising  activity,  leaped 
into  it,  one  at  the  one  side,  and  the  other  at  the 
opposite;  so  that  the  canoe  being  trimmed  at  once, 
they  paddled  out  of  siglit. 

Havinw  seen  as  much  of  them  as  he  could,  he 
walks  to  the  north-east  side,  in  order  to  discover 
the  effect  of  the  high  wind  which  happened  the 
night  before. 

Keing  come  tQ  the  outside  of  the  rock,  he  per- 
ceives at  a  distance  something  like  a  large  chest, 
but  having  no  lid  to  it.  Taking  that  to  be  the  pro- 
duct of  some  late  shipwreck,  he  grieved  at  the  fatal 
accident.  "  How  long,"  reflected  he,  "  will  covet- 
ousness  decoy  men  to  pnrsue  wealth,  at  the  cost  of 
their  precious  lives  ?  Has  not  Nature  provided 
every  nation  and  country  a  sufficiency  for  its  ir^ia- 
bitants?  that  they  will  rove  on  this  most  dangerous 
and  boisterous  sea,  which  may  be  titled — '  Death's 
Dominions;'  many  perishing  therein,  and  not  one 
on  it  being  safe." 

As  he  was  bewailing  their  fate  who  he  imagined 
had  been  cast  away,  he  sees  two  men  come  down 
the  rock,  with  each  a  bundle  in  his  arm,  who  went 
to  that  which  he  had  taken  to  be  a  chest  ;  and, 
having  put  their  load  in  it,  pushed  it  away  till  come 
to  deeper  water  :  then,  having  got  i<n  it,  with  a  long 
stafif  shoved  it  off,  till  they  could  row  to  a  long-boat 
that  lay  at  some  distance  behind  a  jetting  part  of 
the  rock,  which  screened  it  from  his  sight,  as  also 
the  ship  it  belonged  to. 

The  sight  of  this  much  amazed  him,  and  made 
him  cease  condoling  others'  supposed  loss,  to  run 
home  and  examine  his  own ;  well  knowing  those 
bundles  he  saw  carried  away  must  needs  belong  to 
him,  there  being  no  other  moveables  in  the  islaBd 
but  what  were  in  his  lodge. 

Being  come  home,  he  finds  indeed  what  he  «!»• 


200  THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT. 

pected  :  those  villains  had  most  sacrilegiously  rifled 
and  ransacked  liis  habitation,  not  leaving  liim  so 
much  as  one  of  the  mats  to  keep  his  poor  body  from 
the  ground.  His  winter  garb  also  is  gone,  and  what 
else  they  conld  find  for  their  use. 

The  loss  of  those  things,  which  he  could  not  be 
without,  filled  him  with  sorrow.  "  Now,"  said  he 
"I  am  in  my  fiist  state  of  being;  naked  I  came 
into  the  world,  and  naked  I  shall  go  out  of  it:"  at 
which  he  fell  a  weeping. 

Having  grieved  awhile — "Why,"  said  he,  "should 
I  thus  cast  myself  down  ?  Is  not  Providence,  who 
gave  me  them,  able  to  give  me  more  ?"  Thus, 
having  resolved  before  winter  to  replenish  his  loss, 
he  re!«ts  himself  contented,  and  gives  the  ruffians' 
evil  action  the  best  construction  he  could.  "  Now 
I  think  on  it,"  said  he,  "  these  surely  are  the  men 
who,  about  twelve  months'  since,  would  charitably 
have  carried  me  hence,  but  could  not,  for  want  of 
necessary  implements;  and  now,  being  better  pro- 
vided, came  to  accomplish  their  hospitable  design  ; 
but,  not  finding  me,  supposing  I  was  either  dead  or 
gone,  took  away  what  was  here  of  no  use  :  much 
good  may  what  they  have  got  do  them,  and  may  it 
be  of  as  much  use  to  them  as  it  was  to  me."  Thus 
walks  out  in  order  to  cut  grass  to  dry,  and  make 
hims«df  new  bedding,  and  a  winter-garb. 

Having  walked  about  half  a  mile,  he  perceives 
the  same  men  coming  towards  the  pond.  "  Heaven 
be  praiserl!"  said  he,  "  here  they  be  still.  Now, 
when  they  see  I  am  not  gone,  nor  willing  to  go, 
they  will  return  my  things,  which  they  are  sensible 
I  cannot  do  without ;"  with  which  words  he  goes 
up  to  them. 

By  this  time  they  had  caught  the  two  old  ducks, 
which,  being  pinioned,  could  not  fly  away  as  the 
res4  did.  He  was  much  vexed  to  see  the  best  of 
his  stock  thus  taken  away  ;  yet  as  he  thought  they 
were  come  to  do  him  service,  he  could  grudge  them 


THE    ENGLISH    HERMIT.  207 

nothing,  that  would  any  wise  gratify  so  good  an 
intent.  Bn(,  having  returned  them  thanks  for  their 
good-will,  he  told  iheni  he  was  very  hitppy  in  the 
island,  and  had  made  a  vow  never  to  go  out  ot  it. 

These  heing  Frenchmen,  and  of  an  eniplosnunt 
where  politeness  is  of  little  n«e,  being  fi^ll^■rmen, 
and  not  understanding  what  he  said,  only  linglud 
in  his  face,  and  went  on  to  the  purpose  they  came 
abont :  then  having  as  many  of  the  dncks  as  ilu-y 
could  eet,  they  proceeded  towards  the  house  where 
they  had  seen  the  antelopes;  some  (f  which  not 
running  away  at  their  approach,  they  proposed  to 
catch  hold  of  them. 

Being  come  to  the  place  where  they  used  to  feed, 
which  was  near  the  dwelling,  the  young  ones,  not 
being  used  to  see  any  men  in  clothes,  nor  any  body 
but  their  master,  presently  fled  ;  but  the  two  fild 
ones,  wliicli  he  had  bied  up,  were  so  tame  that 
they  stood  still;  only  when  the  men  came  to  them, 
they  kept  close  to  him,  which  gave  the  men  oppor- 
tunity to  lay  hold  of  them  ;  when,  n<;twitiistanding 
Quarll's  repeated  entreaiies,  they  tied  a  halter  about 
their  horns,  and  barbarously  led  them  away. 

Quarll  was  grieved  to  the  heart  to  see  hisdarlings 
whith  he  had  taken  such  care  to  breed  up,  and 
which  were  become  the  principal  part  of  his  delight,, 
following  him  up  and  down  ;  and  w  hich,  by  their 
jumping  and  playing  before  him,  often  dispersed 
melancholy  thoughts  ;  notwithstanding  all  these  en- 
dearinj:  qualifications,  thus  h.tukd  away  ;  he  weeps, 
and  on  his  knees  begs  they  niay  be  left;  and, 
though  they  understoofl  not  his  words,  his  actions 
were  so  expressive  and  wioving  that,  had  they  had 
the  humanity  of  cannibals,  who  eat  one  anoiher, 
they  w(Mild  have  yielded  to  so  melting  an  object  as 
the  poor  broken-hearted  Quarll  was  ;  but  the  in- 
flexible boors  went  on,  cruelly  hauling  and  dragging 
the  poor  creatures  ;  which,  as  if  sensible  of  the  bar- 
barity  of    the  act,  looked   back   to    their    afflicted 


/ 


208  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.     ^ 

master,  as  craving  his  assistance  ;  which,  at  last 
so  exasperated  him  that  he  was  several  times 
tempted  to  lay  on  the  ravishers  with  his  long  staflF, 
but  as  often  was  stopped  by  the  following  considera- 
tion :  "  Shall  I,"  said  he,  "  be  the  destruction  of 
my  fellow-creatures,  to  rescue  out  of  their  hands 
animals  of  which  I  have  an  improving  store  left, 
and  deprive  them  of  their  healths,  and  perhaps  of 
their  lives,  to  recover  what  cost  me  nought?  Let 
them  go  with  what  they  have,  and  the  merit  of 
their  deed  be  their  reward."  Thus  he  walks  about 
n.elancholy,  bemoaning  his  poor  antelopes'  fate,  and 
his  own  misfortune.  "They  were  used  to  liberty," 
said  he,  "  which  they  are  now  deprived  of,  and  for 
which  they  will  pine  and  die,  which,  for  their  sake, 
I  cannot  but  wish  ;  for  life  without  liberty  is  a  con- 
tinual death." 

As  he  was  walking,  thinking  (as  it  is  usual,  after 
the  loss  of  any  thing  one  loves)  of  the  pleasure  he 
had  during  the  enjoyment,  tlie  ruffians,  having  se- 
cured the  poor  animals,  came  back  with  ropes  in 
their  hands.  "  What  do  they  want  next  ?"  said  he, 
"  have  they  not  all  they  desire  ;  would  they  carry 
away  my  habitation  also  ?  Sure  they  have  no  de- 
sign on  my  person :  if  so,  they  will  not  take  it  so 
easily  as  they  did  my  dear  antelopes."  Thus  he 
resolved  to  exercise  his  quarter-staff,  if  they  offered 
to  lay  hands  on  him.  The  villains,  whose  design 
was  t»  omd  him,  and  so  carry  him  away,  seeing 
him  armed  and  resolute,  did  not  judge  it  safe  for 
them  to  advance  within  the  reach  of  his  weapon, 
but  kept  at  some  distance,  divining  how  to  seize 
Mn.. 

Quarll,  who,  by  their  consulting,  guessed  at  their 
design,  not  thinking  it  proper  to  let  them  come  to 
a  resolution,  makes  at  the  nearest,  who  immediately 
took  to  his  heels  ;  and  then  to  the  next,  who  im- 
mediately does  the  same.  Thus  he  follows  them 
about  for  a  considerable  time  :  but  they  divided,  is 


THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  209 

order  to  tire  him  with  running,  till  the  night  ap- 
proaching, and  the  wind  rising,  made  them  fear 
their  retreat  might  be  dangerous,  if  they  deferred 
it,  so  that  they  went  clear  away:  which  being  all 
he  desired,  he  returneti,  as  soon  as  he  saw  them 
in  the  long-boat,  that  they  rowed  to  their  ship, 
which  lay  at  anchor  some  distance  from  the 
rocks. 

These  wretches  being  gone,  he  returns  Heaven 
thanks  for  his  deliverance;  and  as  his  bridge  had 
favoured  their  coming,  he  pnlls  it  off,  and  only  laid 
it  over  when  he  had  a  mind  to  view  the  sea,  and 
goes  home  to  eat  a  bit,  having  not  as  yet  broken 
his  fast.  Having,  therefore,  eaten  some  of  his  roots 
and  cheese,  and  being  wearied  with  hnniing  these 
boors,  he  consults  how  to  lie,  his  bed  and  bedding 
being  gone,  as  also  his  winter-gown,  and  tlie  nights 
being  as  yet  cold  :  however,  alter  a  small  time  of 
consideration,  he  concludes  to  lie  in  the  lodge,  which 
veas  left  vacant  by  the  stolen  antelopes'  absence  ; 
whose  litter  being  made  of  the  same  grass  as  his 
mats  were,  he  lay  both  soft  and  warm. 

When  laid  down,  being  sorely  fatigued,  he  soou 
fell  asleep  ;  and  as  the  plunderers  had  the  preceding 
day  took  up  his  cares,  they  filled  his  mind  in  the 
night  ;  he  has  them  continually  before  his  eyes, 
sometimes  with  his  beloved  antelopes  in  their  pil- 
fering hands  ;  at  other  times  barbarously  hauling 
them  by  their  horns  with  a  halter,  which  they  ought 
to  have  about  their  own  necks.  These  acts  of  aus 
terily  provoking  his  anger,  and  urging  him  on  to 
revenge,  he  lifts  his  start',  which  on  a  sudden  is 
turned  into  Hercules'  club.  Startled  to  see  that 
wonderful  change,  lie  stops  from  laying  on  the  in- 
tended blow.  "  Rescuing,"  said  he,  "  my  darling 
animals,  I  shall  lose  my  precious  and  inestimable 
peace  of  mind.  What  can  atone  for  the  life  of  a 
man  ?"  Whilst  he  was  making  these  reflections, 
the  men  got  clear  away  with  the  fowls  and  ante- 
IP 


210  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

lopes,  leaving  him  in  deep  melancholy.  Thus,  as 
he  was  bewailing  his  loss,  callini.' to  mind  the  agree- 
able pastimes  they  had  often  been  to  him,  and  the 
many  anxious  hours  he  had  dispersed  with  their 
diversion,  a  2entle«oiiian  appeared  before  liim,  of 
a  mo^t  agreeable,  yet  grave  countenance,  diessed 
In'pl.iin  (love-coloured  clothes,  in  most  places  thread- 
bare, and  in  others  patched  with  divers  sorts  of 
stutfs,  yet  genteel  and  becoming.  He  starts  at  her 
appearing,  wondering  what  she  could  come  for. 
having  nothing  more  to  lose.  "  I  come  not,"  said 
she,  "  to  seek  ougiit  from  thee,  but  to  restore  what 
thou  hast  lost."  He,  being  overjoyed  at  the  words, 
looks  about,  expecting  his  beloved  antelopes,  and 
what  else  (he  men  had  taken  away  ;  but,  seeing 
nothins;,  he  thought  that  vision  proceeded  from 
vapours,  whicli  tiie  great  grief  for  his  late  loss  had 
occasioned  ;  and  tails  a  thinking,  till  he  was  a  second 
time  interrupted  by  her,  bidding  him  look  her  in 
the  face.  "  Be  satisfied,  be  satisfied,  woman."  said 
he  :  "  wliy,  I  neither  know  thee,  nor  what  ihou 
meanest." — "  Well  then,"  replied  she,  "  I'll  inform 
thee  of  both  :  I  am  Patience,  whom  all  the  woild 
strive  to  grieve,  and  whom  none  can  provoke  ;  and 
what  I  promise  to  restore  thee  is  Content,  which 
thou  throvvest  away  after  worthless  things."  So  she 
vanishes.     At  which  he  awakes. 

Having  made  reflections  upon  the  latter  part  of 
his  dream,  the  first  part  thereof  being  but  a  repe- 
titicm  of  what  happened  the  day  before,  he  makes 
this  application.  "  This,"  said  he,  "  is  a  check  for 
my  discomposing  that  peace  upon  such  a  fiivolous 
account,  which,  by  Pro\idence,  was  intended  I 
should  enjoy,  having  supplied  me  with  all  neces- 
saries to  maintain  it."  He  therefore  makes  a-reso- 
lulion  never  to  be  vexed,  let  what  "ill  happen  ; 
but  with  patience  submit  to  the  will  of  God,  who 
ha^  the  direction  of  all  things.  Then,  having  paid 
his  usual  devotion}  he  goes  into  the  kitchen,  in  order 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  211 

to  breakfast,  and  afterward^  to  take  his  custoinary 
walk.  Whilst  he  was  eating,  tliere  arose  a  noise 
in  the  air,  as  proceeding  from  a  quantity  of  rooks, 
jackdaws,  crows,  and  such  like  birds,  \\hosc  com- 
mon notes  he  was  acquainted  with  ;  and  as  the 
noise  approaclicd,  he  had  tlie  curiosity  to  go  and 
see  what  was  the  matter,  but  was  prevented  by  the 
coming  of  a  large  fowl,  whicli  flew  over  his  head, 
as  he  was  going  out.  He  turned  back  to  gaze  at 
the  bird,  ^^llose  beauty  seized  him  with  admiration; 
the  pleasure  of  seeing  so  charming  a  creature  quite 
put  out  of  liis  mind  ilie  curiosity  of  looking  %\hence 
proceeded  the  disagreeable  noise  witliout;  which 
ceasing  as  soon  as  the  bird  was  sheltered,  made  him 
imagine  tlio^e  carrion  birds  had  been  chasing  that 
beautiful  fowl,  whicli,  seeing  ilsclf  out  of  danger, 
stood  still,  very  calm  and  composed;  which  gave 
him  the  opportunity  of  making  a  discussion  of  every 
individual  agreement  whicii  composed  so  delightful 
an  object.  It  was  about  the  biiiness  and  form  of  a 
swan,  almost  headed  like  it,  only  the  bill  was  not 
so  long,  nor  so  broad,  and  red  like  coral ;  his  eyes 
like  those  of  a  hawk,  his  head  of  a  mazarine  blue, 
and  on  the  top  of  it  a  tuft  of  shining  gold-coloured 
feathers,  which  spread  over  it,  hanging  near  three 
inches  beyond,  all  round  ;  its  breast,  face,  and  part 
of  its  neck,  milk-white,  curiously  speckled  with 
small  black  spots,  a  gold  coloured  circle  about  it, 
its  back  and  neck  behind  of  a  tine  crimson,  speckled 
with  purple  ;  its  legs  and  feet  the  same  colour  as 
its  bill;  its  tail  long  and  round,  spreading  like  that 
of  a  peacock,  composed  of  six  rows  of  leathers,  all 
of  dift'erent  colours,  which  made  a  most  delightful 
mixture. 

Having  spent  several  minutes  in  admiring  the 
bird,  he  lays  pea«,  and  crumble<l  roots,  bolh  roasted 
and  boiled,  before  it,  as  also  water  in  a  shell,  with- 
drawing to  give  it  liberty  to  eat  and  drink  ;  and 
stood  out  peeping  to  see  what  it  would   do  :  which 

P  2 


215  THE   ENGLISH   HKRMIT. 

being  alone,  having  looked  about,  picks  a  few  peas, 
and  drinks  heartily  ;  tiien  walks  towards  the  door 
in  a  composed  and  easy  manner,  much  like  that  of 
a  cock. 

Qnarll,  being  at  the  outside,  was  dubious  whether 
he  should  detain  hira,  or  let  him  go;  his  allection 
for  that  admirable  creature  equally  prompts  him  to 
both  :  he  cannot  bear  the  thoughts  of  parting  with 
80  lovely  an  object,  nor  harbour  that  of  depriving 
it  of  iis  liberty,  which  it  so  implicitly  trusted  him 
withal.  Thus,  after  a  small  pause,  generosity  pre- 
vails over  self-pleasure.  "  Why  should  I,"  said  he, 
"  make  the  place  of  its  refuge  its  prison?"  He  there- 
fore makes  room  for  it  to  go,  which,  with  a  slow 
pace,  walks  out ;  and,  having  looked  about  a  small 
time,  mounts  up  a  considerable  height,  and  then 
takes  its  course  north-west. 

The  bird  being  gone  out  of  sight,  he  made  reflec- 
tions on  the  adventure,  which  he  judges  to  be  a 
prognostic  of  some  rebellion  or  revolution  in  Eu- 
rope :  whereupon,  having  recommended  his  native 
country  to  the  protection  of  Heaven,  begging  a  cou- 
tinnation  of  peace,  and  an  end  of  those  unhappy 
divisions  which  often  prove  the  ruin  of  nations, 
he  goes  and  sets  down  in  the  memorial-book,  the 
transactions  of  that  year,  being  1689,  and  the  fif- 
teenth since  his  being  in  the  island,  which  proved 
more  fruitful  in  events  than  any  of  the  preceding. 
The  picture  which  he  had  drawn  of  the  terrible  sea 
monster,  being  against  his  wall,  having  accustomed 
him  to  the  frightful  object  that  constantly  disturbed 
his  mind,  he  draws  that  of  the  two  rutfians,  com- 
mittin<;  their  barbarity,  and  hangs  it  by  the  place  ; 
the  idea  whereof  being  to  him  more  terrible  than 
the  preceding,  he  could  not  sutler  it  to  be  long  in 
his  sight;  but  takes  it  down,  and  draws  on  the 
backside  of  it,  the  villains  on  a  s-.ibbet.  "  Now," 
said  h«?,  "  this  being  what  oughi  to  be  the  end  and 
explanaii<m  of  the  history,  shall  now  be  the  right 
side  of  the  picture." 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  213 

There  happening  nothing  the  remainder  of  the 
year,  worthy  of  record,  he  employs  it  in  his  cus- 
tomary occupations  ;*  as  pruning  and  watering  his 
lodge  and  dairy,  making  his  mats  to  lie  on,  as  also 
his  winter-garb  ;  every  day  milking  his  antelopes 
and  goats,  making  now  and  then  butter  and  cheese, 
attending  his  nets,  and  such  like  necessary  em- 
ployments. 

The  mean  time,  the  French  mariners,  who  pro- 
bably got  money  by  what  they  had  taken  from  him 
the  year  before,  returned,  it  being  much  about  the 
same  season;  and,  being  resolved  to  take  him  away, 
and  all  they  conhl  make  any  thing  of,  out  of  the 
island,  were  provided  with  hands  and  implements 
to  accomplish  their  design;  as  ropes  to  bind  vhat 
they  could  get  alive,  and  guns  to  s-hoot  \^hat  they 
could  not  come  at  ;  saws  and  hatchets  to  cut  down 
logwood,  and  brazil,  pick-axes  and  shovels  to  dig  np 
orris-roots,  and  others  of  worth,  which  they  imagined 
the  island  produced  ;  likewise  flat-bottomed  boats 
to  tow  in  shallow  water,  where  others  could  not 
come  ;  and  thus  by  degrees  to  load  their  ship  with 
booty.  But  ever-watchful  Providence  blasted  their 
evil  projects,  and  confounded  their  devices,  at  the 
very  instant  they  thought  themselves  sure  of  suc- 
cess. The  implements  in  a  flat-bottomed  boat  were 
towed  to  the  very  foot  of  the  rock,  by  a  young  fel- 
low, who  being  lighter  than  a  man,  was  thought 
fittest  to  go  with  the  tools,  which  pretty  well  loaded 
the  boat. 

Their  materials  being  landed,  to  their  great  satis- 
faction, the  men  on  board  embarked  in  two  more 
of  the  same  sort  of  boats,  but  were  no  sooner  in 
them  but  a  storm  arose,  which  dashed  their  slender 
bottom  to  pieces,  and  washed  them  into  the  sea,  in 
which  they  perished,  oversetting  also  the  flat-bot- 
tomed boat  on  shore  with  the  load,  and  the  lad 
underjieath  it. 

The  storm  being  over,  which  lasted  from  about 


SI4  THE   ENGLISH   HERMIT. 

eieht  in  the  morning  fill  almost  twelve  at  noon, 
Qiiarll,  according  to  his  custom,  went  to  see  if  Le 
could  perceive  any  damage  dofie  by  the  l«te  tem- 
pest, and  if  any  distressed  by  it,  stood  in  want  of 
help.  " 

Being  at  that  side  of  the  rock  he  used  to  visit, 
he  couhl  see  nothing  but  a  few  fishes  and  shells  the 
sea  had  left  in  the  clefts.  "  If  this,"  said  he,  "be 
all  the  damage  that  has  been  done,  make  me  thank- 
ful ;  it  will  recruit  me  with  fresh  fish  and  utensils." 
Going  to  the  N.W.  part,  where  he  sees  a  battered 
boat,  rtoating\\ith  the  keel  upwards — "Tliis,"  said 
he,  "bodes  some  mischief;"  but  thought  it  not  to 
be  of  any  consequence.  Having  ^one  about  fifty 
yards  fanher,  he  espies  a  small  barrel  at  tiie  foot  of 
the  rock,  with  several  planks  and  fragments  of  a 
ship,  floating  with  the  tide.  "Alas,"  saiil  he,  "these 
are  too  evident  proofs  of  a  shipwreck,  to  hope  other- 
wise." As  he  was  looking  about,  he  hears  a  voice 
cry  out,  much  like  that  of  a  man,  at  some  distance, 
behind  a  part  of  the  rock.  Being  advanced  a  .<:mall 
matter  beyond  where  he  was — "  Heaven  be  praised!" 
says  he,  "  there  is  somebody  whom  I  am  luckily 
come  to  save,  and  he  most  fortunately  come  to  be 
my  companion  :  I  cannot  but  rejoice  at  the  event, 
though  I  heartily  grieve  for  the  accident."  Hasten- 
ing to  the  place  where  he  thought  the  cries  came 
from,  which  as  he  advanced,  he  could  discern  to  be 
too  shrill  for  a  man's  voice — "  Certainly,"  says  he, 
"this  must  be  some  woman,  by  the  noise."  This 
sets  his  blood  a  glowing,  his  heart  alters  its  motioix. 
"  Now,"  said  he,  joyful,  "  Providence  has  com- 
pleted my  happiness,  I  shall  have  a  companion,  and 
a  helpmate  ;"  and  goes  on  with  fresh  vigour,  as 
though  he  had  recovered  his  strength,  and  got  new 
limbs:  the  rough  and  savage  rock,  which  was  be- 
fore in  a  manner  inaccessible,  is  now  made  easy  to 
walk  :  he  climbs  the  highest  places  with  activity, 
and  goes  down   the  steep   as  nimbly,  and  soon  ar- 


THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  215 

rived  where  he  judged  the  person  to  be  :  yet,  seeing 
nothing  but  what  he  took  to  be  a  che^t,  began  to  be 
disheartened.  "  Sure,"  said  he,  "  this  is  not  a 
second  illiuion,  to  decoy  my  fancy  after  what  is  to 
be  had  !"  Thus  his  joy  on  a  sudden  turned  into  a 
deep  melancholy;  but  the  creature  underneath,  who 
having  heard  some  noise  near  at  hand,  ceased  cry 
ing,  to  listen  ;  yet,  seeing  nobody  come,  cries  ou 
again  somewhat  louder  than  before. 

This  revived  him  quite,  and  recalled  his  hopes. 
"It  is  a  woman,"  said  he,  "and  in  that  che--t ;" 
when,  going  to  break  it  open,  he  stops  on  a  suduen. 
*' What  am  I  going  to  do  ?  Kow  do  I  know  the 
cause  of  her  being  thus  locked  up?  Though  women 
are  in  a  manner,  become  a  merchandize,  yet  they 
never  are  packed  up  or  chested  :  she  must  be  in 
there  for  a  punishment,  which  in  some  countries  is 
inflicted  on  witches."  The  boy,  who  heard  a  voice, 
calls  out  in  French,  which  Quarll  not  understand- 
ing, he  was  afraid  to  let  him  out ;  but  his  mention- 
ing Christ  being  intelligible  to  hini,  made  him 
cliange  his  opinion.  "  For  Christ's  sake,  doth  she 
say .'.  That  lioly  name  witches  seldom  make  use 
of;  however,  in  that  name  I'll  let  her  out.  If  she 
be  under  condemnation,  was  I  not  so  ?  Had  she 
by  Heaven  been  decreecl  to  die,  she  would  not  have 
been  here."  At  which  words,  with  his  statt  he  en- 
deavoured to  break  that  which  he  took  to  be  the 
lid  of  the  chest,  but  proved  to  be  the  bottom  ;  and 
as  he  was  striking,  the  boy  underneath  calling  to 
him  to  turn  it  up,  thrust  his  hand  un<ler  the  side, 
which  he  perceiving,  though  he  understood  him  not, 
stood  still.  Finding  his  mistake — "  Tliis,"  said  he, 
"  is  a  flat-bottomed  boat,  such  as  the  Frenchinen 
used  the  year  before,  when  they  came  and  plun 
dered  me.  Now,  am  I  safe  if  I  turn  it  up  ?  Doubt- 
Itss  they  are  come  in  great  numbers."  Pausing 
awhile,  and  the  lad  (whom  he  took  to  be  a  woman) 
stiil    coiiliuuing  his   moan,  he  was   moved  to  com- 


aX6  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

passion  ;  and,  having  considered  the  boat  could  not 
hold  any  great  number,  he  ventures.  "  Let  what 
will  come  on  it,  or  who  will  be  under,  for  the  poor 
woman's  sake  I'll  relieve  them  ;  there  cannot  be 
many  men.  However,  I'll  let  but  one  out  at  a 
time:  if  he  be  mischievons,  I  am  able  to  deal  with 
him."  At  tills,  he  puts  the  end  of  the  statf  where 
lie  had  seen  the  hand,  and  lifts  it  up  about  a  foot 
from  the  ground  :  out  of  the  openinsr  immediately 
creeps  the  boy,  who  on  his  knees  falls  a  beeging 
and  weeping,  expecting;  death  every  moment,  as 
being  the  merited  punishment  for  the  evil  purpose 
he  came  about.  Quarll,  who  expected  there  was  a 
woman  be?ir!e,  fearing  the  gap  the  youth  came 
out  at  would  be  too  uneasy  for  her  to  come  through, 
inade  motions  for  the  b'>y  to  help  him,  in  order  to 
set  the  boat  on  its  bottom  ;  which  he  did.  Quarll, 
seeing  the  implements  instead  of  the  woman,  was 
as  much  vexed  as  disappointed.  His  countenance 
changes;  sometimes  he  looks  at  the  things,  then  at 
the  boy  ;  who,  seeing  him  appear  angry,  thought  of 
nothing  but  present  death,  and  again  falls  on  his 
knees,  holding  up  his  hands,  almost  drowned  in  tears, 
besginif  for  mercy  in  such  a  moving  manner  that 
Quarll  could  not  forbear  shedding  some  tears  ;  and 
though  the  late  (li«appoinfnient  of  his  proposed  hap- 
piness, and  the  fii;ht  of  the  preparations  made  for 
his  intended  ruin,  had  moved  him  to  anger  against 
that  mercenary  nation,  he  helped  the  young  fellow 
np  by  the  hand  :  and,  the  night  coming  on  apace,  he 
takes  one  of  the  hatchets  that  lay  by,  and  gave 
another  to  the  boy,  then  falls  a  knocking  the  boat 
to  pieces,  and  directed  him  to  do  the  same,  which 
he  accordingly  did. 

The  boat  being  demolished,  they  carried  the 
boards  higher  up  on  the  rock,  as  also  the  rest  of 
the  thing?  ;  lest  in  the  night  some  storm  should  rise, 
which  might  wash  them  back  into  the  sea,  it  being 
then  too  late  to  bring   them  away.     Having  done. 


TUB  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  217 

they  each  of  them  took  up  what  they  conld  carry, 
and  so  went  home.  Tlie  young  Frenchman,  finding 
a  kinder  treatment  than  eitlier  he  deserved  or  ex- 
pected, vas  extroardinarily  submissive  and  tract- 
able, which  made  Qnarll  tlie  more  kind  and  mild, 
and,  instead  of  condemning  his  evil  attempt,  he 
commiserated  his  misfortune,  and  in  room  of  resent 
ment  shewed  him  kindness.  Tlius,  having  given 
him  of  what  lie  had  to  eat,  he  puts  hiin  to  bed  in 
his  lodge,  wherein  he  lay,  till  he  had  got  his  mats 
made  up,  then  went  to  bed  himself,  but  could  not 
sleep  for  thinking  of  his  late  disappointment,  which 
intercepted  those  pleasures  he  so  much  depended  on, 
thinking  himself  sure  of  a  female  partner,  who,  in 
sharing  happiness  with  him,  would  have  much  added 
to  his  bliss. 

Having  tossed  and  tumbled  a  considerable  time, 
he  begins  to  be  heavy  spirited  :  nature  is  fatigued, 
and  must  be  refreshed.  Thus  he  falls  asleep  ;  and, 
as  his  hopes  the  preceding  day  had  indulged  his  de* 
sire,  his  mind  is  so  impressed  in  the  night  with  the 
idea  of  a  female  object,  that  lie  dreams  he  has  her 
b}'  his  side,  condoling  her  for  the  dangers  she  has 
gone  through,  congratulating  her  lucky  escape, 
and  greeting  her  happy  arrival  into  so  blessed  an 
abode. 

Thus  expressing  his  joy,  in  possessing  the  only 
object  which  could  complele  his  happiness,  with  all 
the  softness  and  eloquence  the  most  passionate  love 
can  impress,  he  reaches  out  his  arms  to  embrace 
the  lovely  phantom  his  inclination  had  bred  in  his 
imagination  ;  but,  having  groped  awhile,  and  find- 
ing nothing,  he  starts  out  of  his  sleep  at  this  most 
shocking  disappointment. 

Being  awaked,  the  late  delusive  pleasures  called 
to  his  mind  the  real,  which  he  had  formerly  enjoy- 
ed, and  did  then  hanker  after.  "  What  is  man," 
said  he,  "  without  that  part  of  himself,  out  of  which 
God  made  him  a  mate  ?  Adam,  though  possessing  all 


2IS  THE   ENGLISH    HERMIT. 

the  world,  was  still  wanting,  till  he  had  a  woman  to 
keep  him  company."  In  this  melancholy  (iisposition 
he.isjain  falls  asleep,  and  dreams  afresh  ;  in  svliich  his 
itna<;inalio;i  tints  his  inclination  with  tliose  pleasures 
it  so  much  desiredT"  Fruition  to  him  is  but  like 
liquor  to  a  man  sick  of  a  violent  fever,  which  only 
for  a  minute  quenches  his  heat,  but  augments  the 
distemper,  and  at  last  destroys  the  patient.  E.Kces- 
sive  lov*;  is  but  short  lived  ;  what  is  violent  is  not 
lasting  :  time  wii4i  pleasure  runs  fast  away,  but 
dwells  long  with  sorrow;  care  weakens  love,  and 
indifferences  breed  discontent;  the  jarrings  fol- 
low whicli  introduce  Division,  the  mother  of 
Poverty. 

These  dismal  accidents,  incident  to  inconsiderate 
love,  coining  into  the  amorous  dreamer's  mind,  his 
great  heat  being  quenched,  he  took  time  to  con- 
sider his  condition;  and,  seeing  himself  liable  to 
them,  is  struck  witli  such  a  fear  as  blots  all  plea- 
sure? out  of  his  thoughts,  and  fills  them  with  dread 
of  future  cares,  which  he  unadvisedly  run  himself 
into,  and  all  for  the  sake  of  a  short  pleasure. 

Starting  out  of  his  sleep  at  the  approach  of  those 
sad  troubles,  he  returns  Heaven  thanks  that  it  was 
but  a  dream  ;  and  begs  pardon  for  having  given  so 
much  way  to  the  concupiscence  of  the  tlesli  ;  getting 
np,  though  sooner  than  ordinary,  lest  he  should  fall 
asiiep,  and  dream  again  of  women. 

Having  walked  about  till  he  thought  it  time  for 
the  boy  to  rise,  he  CiiUs  him  up,  and  takes  him  to 
the  place  that  he  usually  went  every  morning  and 
evening  to  sing  psalms ;  where  the  youth  being 
come,  and  hearing  so  many  voices,  and  seeing  no- 
body, was  scaled  out  of  his  wits,  and  look  to  his 
heels,  making  towards  the  rock  as  fast  as  he  could; 
but  as  he  was  not  acquainted  with  the  easiest  and 
most  practicable  parts  thereof,  Quaill  had  made  an 
end  of  his  psalm,  a>id  overtook  him  before  he  could 
get  to  the  sea-side,  into  which   be   certai.-ly  would 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  219 

have  cast  himself  at  the  fright;  but  Quarll,  who^ 
by  the  boy's  slariiig  guessed  liis  disorder,  not  having 
the  benefit  of  tiie  language,  endeavoured  to  calm 
him  by  his  pleasing  countenance,  and  prevented  his 
drowning  himself;  but  could  not  keep  ott  a  violent 
fit  the  fright  had  occasioned,  which  held  him  seve- 
ral minutes. 

The  fit  being  over,  he  and  the  boy  took  away  at 
divers  times  the  remains  of  the  chest,  and  of  what 
was  in  it,  which  they  could  not  cany  home  the  day 
before.  Then  taking  np  two  guns — "  Now,"  said 
he,  "these  unlucky  instruments,  \\hich  were  in- 
tended for  destruction,  shall  be  employed  for  the 
preservation  of  that  they  were  to  destroy."  Taking 
them  to  his  lodge,  he  sets  them  at  each  side  of  the 
door;  then  it  being  dinner-time,  he  strikes  a  light, 
and  sets  the  boy  to  "make  a  fire,  whilst  he  made 
some  of  the  fish  fit  to  fry,  which  he  picked  up  upon 
the  rock  the  evening  before  ;  then  takes  dripping, 
he  saved  when  he  roasted  any  flesli,  to  fry  with 
them.  Tiie  boy,  who  had  lived  some  time  in  Hol- 
land, where  they  used  much  butter,  seeing  dripping 
employed  in  room  thereof,  thought  to  please  his 
master  in  making  some  ;  and  as  he  had  seen  milk 
and  cream  in  the  dairy  arbour,  wanting  a  churn 
only,  there  being  a  small  runlet  lying  by  empty, 
he  takes  one  of  the  ends  of  it,  in  which,  the  next 
day,  he  beat  butter. 

Quarll,  seeing  the  youth  industrious,  began  to 
fancy  him,  notwithstanding  the  aversiim  h^  had 
conceived  for  his  nation,  ever  since  the  ill  treat- 
ment he  had  received  from  his  countrymen  ;  and, 
as  speech  is  one  of  the  most  necessary  faculties  to 
breed  and  maintain  fellowship,  he  took  pains  to 
teach  him  English. 

The  lad  being  acute-and  ingenious,  was  soon  made 
to  understand  it,  and  in  six  montiis  capable  to  speak 
it  sufficiently,  so  as  to  give  his  master  a  relation  of 
his  late  coming,  and  to  what  intent.    "  The  men," 


220  THB  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

said  he,  "  who  about  one  year  since,  carried  away 
hence  some  antelopes,  with  extraordinary  docks, 
and  several  rarities,  which  they  said  belonged  to  a 
monstrous  English  hermit,  whose  hair  and  beard 
covered  all  his  body,  having  got  a  great  deal  of 
money  by  shewing  them,  encouraged  others  to 
come;  whereupon  several,  joining  together,  hired 
a  ship  to  fetch  away  the  hermit,  and  what  else  they 
could  find  ;  therefore  brought  with  them  tools,  and 
guns  to  shoot  what  they  could  not  take  alive." 

"  Barbarous  wretches  !"  replied  he,  "  to  kill  my 
dear  antelopes  and  ilucks !  Pray,  what  did  they 
intend  to  do  with  me  1" 

"  Why,"  said  the  boy,  "  to  make  a  shew  of 
yon." 

"  To  make  a  shew  of  me  !  Sordid  wretches  !  Is 
a  Christian  then  such  a  rarity  amongst  them?  Well, 
and  what  were  the  saws  and  hatchets  for  I" 

"To  cut  down  your  house,  which  they  intended 
to  make  a  drinking  booth  of." 

"  Ho,  monstrous  !  what  time  and  nature  has  been 
fifteen  years  a  completing,  they  would  have  ruined 
in  a  moment :  well,  thanks  to  Providence,  their 
evil  design  is  averted.  Pray,  what  is  become  of 
those  sacrilegious  persons  ?" 

"  They  are  all  drowned,"  said  the  boy. 

"  Then,"  replies  he,  "  the  Heavens  are  satisfied, 
and  I  avenged.  But  how  earnest  thou  to  escape  1 
for  thou  wast  with  them." 

"  No,"  replied  the  youth,  "  I  was  upon  the  rock 
when  their  boat  was  dashed  against  it,  and  was 
overset  with  the  same  sea,  under  the  flat- bottomed 
boat,  where  you  found  me." 

"  That  was  a  happy  overset  for  thee.  Well,  is 
there  no  gratitude  due  to  Providence  for  thy 
escape  I" 

"Due  to  Providence!"  said  he, "why,  I  thonght 
yon  had  saved  me  :  I'm  sure  you  let  me  out." 

"  Yes,"  replied  Quarli ;  "  but  I  was  sent  by  Pro- 
vidence for  that  purpose." 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  221 

"That  was  kindly  done  too,"  said  the  boy;  "well, 
when  I  see  him,  I'll  thank  him:  doth  he  live  here- 
about V 

"  Poor  ignorant  creature!"  replied  Quarll ;  "  why 
Providence  is  every  where.  What!  didst  thou 
never  hear  of  Providence?  What  religion  art 
thou  V 

"  Religion  I"  answered  the  youth  ;  "  I  don't 
know  Mhat  you  mean :  I'm  a  fisherman  by  trade, 
which  my  father  lived  by." 

"  Well,"  said  Quarll,  "did  he  teach  thee  nothing 
else  ?  no  prayers?" 

"Prayers!"  replied  the  lad:  "why  fishermen 
have  no  time  to  pray  ;  that 's  for  them  who  have 
nothing  else  to  do  :  poor  folks  must  work,  and  get 
money  ;  that  's  the  way  of  our  town." 

"  Covetous  wretches!  Well,"  said  he,  "  I  grudge 
them  not  what  they  possess,  since  it  h  all  the  hap- 
piness they  aspire  at  ;  but  thou  shalt  learn  to  pray, 
which  will  be  of  far  more  advantage  to  thee  than 
work,  both  here  and  hereafter."  From  which  time 
he  begins  to  teach  him  the  Lord's  Prayer,  and  the 
Ten  Commandments,  as  also  the  principles  of  the 
Christian  religion  ;  all  which  instructions  the  youth 
taking  readily,  won  his  altection  the  more.  He 
likewise  taught  him  to  sing  psalms,  which  farther 
qualified  him  to  be  his  companion  in  spiritual  exer- 
cises, as  well  as  in  temporal  occupations. 

Now,  having  company,  he  is  obliged  to  enlarge 
his  bed,  the  lodge  being  wanting  for  his  antelopes 
against  breeding-time  :  he  adds,  therefore,  to  his 
mats.  His  other  provisions  also  wanting  to  be  aug- 
mented, and  he  having  both  tools  and  boards,  out 
of  the  flat  boat  which  he  had  taken  to  pieces,  h< 
and  the  lad  went  about  making  large  boxes  to  sal'i 
flesh  and  fish  in;  then  with  the  boards  that  were 
left,  they  made  a  table  for  his  dwelling  that  he  had 
before,  and  one  for  his  kitchen  ;  as  also  shelves  in 
the  room  of  those  that  were  made  of  wicker:  then. 


222  THE  ENGLISH    HERMIT. 

having  recruited  his  shell  utensils  that  were  stolen 
the  year  betore,  he  was  completely  furni.*hed  with 
all  manner  of  conveniences  ;  and  Providence  sup- 
plying him  daily  with  other  neoessaries,  there  was 
no  room  left  iiim  for  wishes,  but  for  thanksgiving, 
which  they  daily  most  religiously  paid. 

In  this  most  liappy  state" they  lived  in  peace  and 
concord  the  space  of  ten  jears,  unanimously  doing 
what  was  to  be  done,  as  it  lay  in  each  of  their  ways, 
without  reiving  on  one  another. 

Quarll,  «ho  before,  though  alone  and  deprived  of 
society  (the  principal  comfort  of  life),  tlionglit  him- 
self blessed,  now  cannot  express  his  happiness,  there 
being  none  in  the  world  to  be  compai  ed  to  it,  heartily' 
praying  he  might  find  no  alteration  till  death  :  but 
the  young  man,  not  having  met  with  so  many  dis- 
appointments in  the  world  as  he,  had  not  quite 
withdrawn  his  affections  from  it;  his  mind  some- 
times will  run  upon  his  native  country,  where  he 
has  left  his  relations,  and  where  he  cannot  help 
wishing  to  be  himself:  thus,  opportunity  otfering 
itself  one  day,  as  he  went  to  get  oysters,  to  make 
sauce  for  some  fresh  cod-fish  which  Quarll  was 
dressins,  he  saw  at  a  distance  a  ship,  at  which  his 
heart  fell  a  panting,  his  pulses  double  their  motion ; 
his  blood  grows  warmer  and  wanner;  till  at  last, 
inflamed  with  desire  of  getting  at  it,  he  lays  down 
the  bag  he  bronulit  to  put  the  oysters  in,  as  also  the 
iiistrunient  to  dredge  them  up  with,  and  takes  to 
swimming.  The  men  on  boar<l  having  espied  him 
out,  sent  their  boat  to  take  hini  up;  so  he  went 
away  without  taking  his  leave  of  him  he  had  re- 
ceived so  mucii  good  from  ;  wiio,  having  waited  a 
considerable  time,  fearing  some  accident  would 
befal  him,  leaves  liis  cooking,  and  goes  to  see  for 
him  ;  and  being  come  at  the  place  where  he  was  to 
get  the  oysters,  he  sees  the  bag  and  instruments 
lie  and  nobody  with  them.  Having  called  several 
timea  without  being  answered,  various  racking  feari 


THE    ENGLISH    HERMIT.  223 

tortured  Ins  mind  :  sometimes  he  doubts  he  is  fallen 
in  some  hole  in  the  rock,  there  being  many  near 
that  place  where  the  oysters  were  ;  he  therefore 
with  his  staff,  which  he  always  carritd  about  with 
bim  when  he  went  abroad,  at  the  other  fide  of  the 
"ock  grabbled  in  every  one  round  the  place  ;  and, 
feeling  nothing,  he  concludes  some  sea-monster  had 
stolen  him  away,  and,  weeping,  condemns  himself 
as  the  cause  of  this  fatal  accident;  resolving,  for 
the  future,  to  pnnisii  himself  by  denying  his  appe- 
tite ;  and  only  eat  to  support  nature,  and  not  to 
please  his  palate. 

Having  given  over  hopes  of  getting  him  again, 
he  returns^^lioinc  in  the  greatest  attliction,  resolving 
to  fast  till  that  time  the  next  day  ;  but  happening 
to  look  westward,  in  which  was  the  point  the  ^\ind 
stood,  he  perceives  something  like  a  boat  at  a  trreat 
distance  ;  wiping  the  tears  oH  his  eyes,  and  looking 
stedfastly,  he  discovers  a  sail  beyond  it,  \\hich 
quite  altered  the  motive  of  his  former  fear  :  "  No 
monster,"  said  he,  "  hath  devoured  him  ;  it  is  too 
plain  a  case  that  he  hath  villainously  left  me  :  but 
what  could  I  expect  of  his  son  who  had  pnjected 
such  evil  against  me  ?"  So  saying,  he  went  home, 
and  made  an  end  of  dressing  his  dinner  ;  and  after- 
wards hangs  up  the  picture  which  he  had  taken 
down  upon  his  account,  being  the  true  emblem  of 
what  he  deserved  ;  resting  himself  contented,  being 
but  as  lie  was  before,  and  ratliei  better;  since  he 
had  more  conveniences,  and  tools  tu  till  his  ground 
and  dig  up  his  roots  with.  Having  recommended 
hiniselt  to  Providence,  he  resumes  his  usual  works 
and  recreations,  resolving  that  no  cares  shall  mar 
his  happiness  for  the  future,  being  out  of  all  those 
irresistible  temptations'  way,  in  ^liich  the  world 
abounds,  and  daily  lays  the  best  men's  hopes  in  the 
dust. 

Being  again  alone,  the'whole  business  of  the 
house  lies  upon  his  hai  is ;  he  now  must  prune  and 


224  THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT. 

trim  his  habitation,  that  daily  harbours  him,  Veing 
made  of  fine  growins;  plants,  which  jeaily  shoot 
out  youns  branches  :  this  make?  theni  crow  out  of 
shape.  He  must  al.-*o  till  the  ground  ;  set  and 
gather  his  pea?e  and  beans  in  tiieir  season  ;  milk 
and  feed  his  antelopes  daily  ;  make  b  itler  and 
cheese  at  proper  times  ;  dig  up  his  roots  ;  fetch  in 
fuel  and  water  when  wanted  ;  attend  his  nets  ;  go 
eagle-nesting ;  and  every  day  dress  his  own  vic- 
tuals :  all  which  necessary  occupations,  besides  the 
time  dedicated  for  morning  and  evening  devotions, 
kept  him  wholly  employed ;  which  made  his  re- 
newed solitude  less  irksome.  And,  having  walked 
all  that  afternoon  to  divert  his  tiiouwhts,  admired 
all  the  way  the  wonderful  works  of  Nature,  botli  in 
the  surprising  rocks  which  surrounded  the  island, 
and  in  the  delightful  creatures,  and  admirable 
plants,  that  are  in  it.  Being  weary  with  walking, 
he  returns  home,  thanking  kind  Providence  for 
settling  him  in  so  blessed  a  place;  and  in  his  way 
calls  at  his  invisible  choir  ;  whert:  having  sung  a 
thanksgiving  psalm,  and  his  usual  evening  hymn, 
he  goes  to  supper,  and  then  to  bed,  w  ith  a  thorough- 
ly contented  mind  ;  which  occasions  pleasant  dreams 
to  entertain  his  thoughts. 

During  his  sleep,  his  fancy  is  delighted  with 
being  in  Nature's  garden  of  pleasure,  where  none 
but  her  friends  are  permitted  to  enter. 

The  place  appeared  very  spacious,  and  of  an 
admirable  form  ;  full  of  all  sorts  of  Nature's  works, 
both  animals,  vegetables,  and  minerals,  every  indi- 
vidual thing  in  perfection  :  and  though  some  were 
distant,  yet  all  appeared  as  at  hand. 

The  lofty  trees,  which  stood  on  a  level  ground, 
covered  with  curio-js  grass,  embalmed  with  many 
diflerent-colourtd  flowers,  exceeding  in  beauty  any 
carpet  that  the  most  expert  artist  could  make, 
spread  tlicir  brancliy  arms  over  creatures  of  all 
kinds,  which  lay  beneath   their  delightful  shades  ; 


THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  225 

there  the  bold  lion  lies  by  the  innocent  lamb;  the 
fierce  panther  neitr  the  liarmless  sheep  ;  tlie  raven- 
ous wolt  with  the  mild  goat  ;  leop»ird  and  deer, 
tiger  and  hare,  reposed  together  in  peace  ;  on  the 
trees,  eagles,  vultures,  falcons,  and  hawks,  quietly 
perched  vviih  the  turtle  and  the  dove. 

These  most  agreeable  objects,  joined  vvith  the 
delightful  noise  of  the  fountains  falling  into  their 
basons,  and  the  purling  streams  running  their  course, 
together  \siih  the  various  harmonious  notes  of  divers 
kinds  of  singing-birds^  put  him  ii.to  an  estacy  : 
'  Sure,'  said  he,  '  this  is  the  garden  of  Eden,  out  of 
which  unfortunate  Adam  .was  cast  after  his  fall,  ai 
being  a  dwelling  only  for  innocence  !' 

Having  walked  a  little  way,  there  being  on  every 
side  curious  lanes,  every  one  atiording  new  objects 
of  admiration,  l.e  comes  to  a  walk,  edged  whh 
orange  and  lemon  trees,  full  of  fruit  and  blossoms, 
at  the  loot  of  which  was  a  narrow  bank  bordered 
with  jonquils,  tuberoses,  hyacinths,  and  other  de- 
lightful tlowers,  both  for  sight  and  smell.  At  the 
end  of  it  there  was  an  aibour  of  the  same,  but  so 
beautiful  that,  at  ftrst  sight,  he  took  it  for  a  tapestry 
the  most  expert  artist  had  exerted  liimself  in  mak- 
ing, to  shew  tlie  curiosity  of  trade  and  greatness 
of  his  skill  :  in  it  there  sat  three  ladies  oi  uncom- 
mon beauty  ;  the  miildlemost,  sxho  was  the  lustiest, 
appeared  to  be  the  eldest,  being  of  a  most  sedate 
countenance,  a  moderate  number  of  jears  having 
both  established  her  judgment,  and  settled  her  fea- 
tures :  she  at  her  right-hand  seemed  to  be  of  a 
weaker  constitution  ;  she  had  in  her  hand  an  olive- 
branch  bearing  fruit,  which,  %\heii  gathered,  was 
immediately  succeeded  with  blossoms  ;  so  tliat  it 
never  was  without  the  one  or  the  other  :  the  lady 
who  sat  on  tlie  left-side  was  more  jolly  an^'  gay, 
yet  looked  somewhat  careful  :  she  had  in  her  hand 
a  long  vessel,  broad  at   one   end,  and   sharp  at  the 

Q 


226  THE    ENGLISH    HERMIT. 

other,  like  a  horn,  bending  towards  the  point,  full 
of  all  sorts  of  fruit?. 

Having  stood  still  a  short  space  of  time,  looking 
at  those  hidies,  tiiiiikiiig  it  ill  manners  to  interrupt 
their  conversatiun  ;  they,  perceiving  his  modesty 
would  not  permit  him  to  advance,  rose  up,  and 
went  another  way,  to  give  him  the  opportunity  of 
viewing  the  garden :  he  accordingly  went  quite 
round,  till  come  to  the  place  where  he  had  begun 
his  walk  ;  where  he  saw  a  stately  cock  of  an  extra- 
ordinary ?ize,  s'rulting  from  animal  to  animal, 
taking  from  most  of  tlicm  something  whilst  ihey 
were  asleep  ;  wliich  having  secured,  he  falls  a 
crowing  in  such  a  loud  manner  that  he  startled  all 
the  other  creatures:  which  being  awake,  and  every 
one  missing  something,  challenged  him  with  it  : 
but  he,  having  crowed  a  seci>nd  time  in  an  insulting 
and  daring  manner,  strutted  most  haughtily  away  ; 
at  which  the  losers,  being  much  offended,  consulted 
together  on  means  to  retake  by  force  what  he  had 
in  so  clandestine  a  manner  taken  from  them, 
chusing  the  lion  lor  their  director  ;  but  the  watchful 
cock,  which,  whilst  they  were  indulging  themselves, 
carefully  made  sufficient  provision  to  maintain  what 
he  had  done,  bid  them  all  defiance. 

There  happening  a  great  noise  of  squeeling,  it 
wake  I  him  out  of  his  dream  ;  and  his  mind  being 
impressed  with  notions  of  war,  it  at  first  seized 
him  with  terror:  but,  being  somewhat  settled,  and 
the  noise  still  continuing,  he  perceived  it  proceed- 
ed from  the  two  dirterent  kinds  of  monkeys  in 
the  island,  which  were  fighting  for  the  wild  pome- 
iranales  that  the  high  wind  had  shook  oil  the 
,rees  the  preceding  night,  which  was  very  bois 
terous. 

Having  guessed  the  occasion  of  their  debate,  he 
^ets  up,  in  order  to  go  and  quell  their  ditlerence, 
jy  dividing  amongst  them  the  cause  thereof: 
getting   up,  he   opens  the  door,  at   the   outside  of 


THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT.  227 

which,  an  old  monkey  of  each  sort  were  quietly 
waiting  his  levee,  to  entice  him  to  come,  as  he 
once  before  did,  and  put  an  end  to  their  bloody 
war. 

He  was  not  a  little  surprised  to  see  two  such  in- 
veterate enemies,  who  at  other  times  never  meet 
without  lighting,  at  that  juncture  agree  so  well. 

That  most  surprising  sign  of  reason  in  those 
brutes,  which,  knowing  his  decision  would  compose 
their  comrades'  diflerence,  came  to  implore  it,  put 
him  upon  tiiose  reflections — "  Would  princes,"  said 
he,  "  be  but  reasonable,  as  those  wliich  by  nature 
are  irrational,  how  much  blood  and  money  might  be 
saved  1"  Having  admired  the  uneasiness  of  those 
poor  creatures,  which  still  went  a  few  steps  foi- 
ward,  and  then  backward  to  him,  he  was  in  hopes  to 
decoy  one  or  both  into  his  lodge,  by  throwing  meat 
to  them  :  but  those  exemplary  animals,  hearing 
their  fellows  in  trouble,  had  no  regard  to  their  stpa 
rate  interest,  taking  no  notice  of  what  he  gave 
them  ;  but  kept  moving  to-and-again  with  all  the 
tokens  of  uneasiness  they  could  express;  wliich  so 
moved  him  that  he  hastened  to  tiie  place,  w  here 
his  presence  caused  immediately  a  cessation  of  arms, 
and  each  party  moved  a  considerable  distance  off 
each  other,  waiting  his  sharing  the  windfalls;  which 
being  done,  they  quietly  took  that  heap  which 
lay  next  each  kind,  and  went  to  their  different 
quarters. 

This  accident,  which  in  some  manner  made  out 
his  dream  of  wars,  brought  it  also  fresh  into  his 
mind,  which  was  full  of  cares  about  his  country, 
which  he  much  feared,  if  any  should  happen  in  Eu 
rope,  would  be  involved  therein  ;  and,  calling  to 
remembrance  the  indigent  disposition  he  left  it  in, 
he  feared  it  would  lay  it  open  to  some  usurping 
prince's  power  :  but,  lest  farther  speculation  should 
occasion  evil  prognostication  to  disturb  his  peace, 
he  leaves  the  event  of  all  things  to  the  direction  of 

Q2 


828  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

Providence,  and  sroes  home  to  set  down  his  dream, 
and  the  year  he  dreamed  it,  which  was  in  1690. 
'  Fonrteen  years  more  beings  past,  every  thing 
keeping  its  natural  course,  there  happened  nothing 
extraordinary,  each  succeeding  year  renewing  the 
pleasures  the  pieceding  had  produced;  thunders  and 
high  winds  being  frequent,  though  not  eqially  vio- 
lent, he  thought  it  not  material  to  record  them,  or 
their  effects  ;  as  blowing  and  throwing  fishes,  shells, 
empty  vessels,  battered  chests,  &c.  upon  the  rock; 
only  transactions  and  events  won<ierful  and  uncom- 
mon; and  there  happened  a  most  surprising  one  a 
few  days  after,  wliich,  though  of  no  great  moment, 
is  as  woithyof  record  as  any  of  far  greater  concern; 
being  a  wonderful  effect  of  Providence,  manifested 
in  a  miraculous  manner,  though  not  to  be  said 
supernatural. 

One  morning,  when  he  had  roasted  a  parcel  of 
rhose  roots  which  he  used  to  eat  instead  of  bread, 
and  this  he  commonly  did  once  a  week,  it  eating 
best  when  stale ;  having  spread  them  on  his  table 
chest  to  cool,  he  went  out  to  walk,  leaving  his  door 
open  to  let  the  air  in. 

His  walk,  though  graced  with  all  the  agreeables 
kfatr,re  could  adorn  it  with,  to  make  it  delightful;  a 
grass  carpet,  embroidered  with  beautiful  flowers,  of 
many  different  colours  apd  smells,  undcir  his  feet, 
to  tread  on  ;  before,  and  on  each  side  of  him,  fine 
lofty  trees,  of  various  forms  and  heights,  clothed 
with  pleasant  green  leaves,  trimmed  with  rich  blos- 
soms of  many  colours,  to  divert  his  eye  ;  a  number 
of  various  sorts  of  melodious  singing-birds  perching  in 
their  most  lovely  shades,  as  thoughNature  had  studied 
to  excel  man's  brightest  imagination,  and  exquisite- 
ness  of  art:  yet  all  these  profusenesses  of  Nature's 
wonders  are  not  sufficient  to  keep  away  or  expel 
anxious  thoughts  from  his  mind.  It  runs  upon  his 
two  dear  antelopes,  the  darling  heads  of  his  present 
ttockf   which  he   took  such  care  tc  bring  up,  abd 


THE    ENGLISH    HERMIT.  229 

•were  become  so  engaging,  always  attending  liim  in 
tliose  fine  walks,  adding,  by  liieir  swift  races,  active 
leapings,  and  other  iinconimon  diversions,  lo  the 
natural  pleasantness  of  the  place;  wiiicii  now,  by 
their  most  lamented  absence,  is  become  a  dull 
memorandum  of  the  barbarous  manner  in  which 
they  were  ravished  away  from  him. 

In  these  melancholy  thoughts,  which  his  lonesome- 
^ess  every  now-and-then  created,  he  returns  home, 
where  Providence  had  left  a  remedy  for  his  griev- 
ance, a  companion,  far  exceeding  any  he  ever  had, 
waits  his  return,  which  was  a  beautiful  monkey  of 
the  finest  kind,  and  the  most  complete  of  the  sort, 
as  though  made  to  manifest  the  unparalleled  skill  of 
Nature,  is  sent  him  by  Providence,  to  dissipate  hi« 
melancholy. 

Being  come  to  his  lodge,  and  beholding  that  won- 
derful creature,  and  in  his  own  possession,  at  the 
farthest  end  of  it,  and  him  at  the  entrance  thereof 
to  oppose  its  flight,  if  ottered,  he  is  at  once  filled 
with  joy  and  admiration.  "  Long,"  said  he,  "  I 
endeavoured  in  vain  to  get  one,  and  would  have 
been  glad  of  any,  though  of  the  worst  kind,  and 
even  of  the  meanest  sort  ;  and  here  kind  Provi- 
dence has  sent  me  one  of  unparalleled  beauty." 

Having  a  considerable  time  admired  the  beast, 
■which  all  the  while  stood  unconcerned,  now-and- 
then  eating  of  the  roots  that  lay  before  him,  he 
shuts  the  door  and  goes  in,  with  a  resolution  of 
staying  within  all  day,  in  order  to  tame  him,  which 
he  hoped  would  be  no  difficult  matter,  his  dispo- 
sition being  already  pretty  familiar,  little  thinking 
that  Providence,  who  sent  him  hither,  had  already 
qualified  him  for  the  commission  he  bore;  which 
having  found  out  by  the  creature's  docility,  he  re- 
turns his  Benefactor  his  most  hearty  thanks  lor  that 
miraculous  gift. 

This  most  wonderful  animal  having,  by  its  snr 
prising  tractability  and  good-nature,  joined  to  its 


230  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

matchless  handsomeness,  gained  its  master's  love, 
beyond  what  is  usual  to  place  on  any  sort  of  beasts, 
he  thoiieht  himself  donbly  recompensed  lor  all  his 
f(irmer  losses,  especially  for  that  of  his  late  ungrate- 
ful companion,  who,  notwithstanding  all  the  obli- 
gations he  held  from  him,  basely  left  him,  at  a  time 
he  niiaht  be  most  helpful:  and,  as  he  fancied  his 
dear  Beau-fidelle  (for  so  he  called  that  admirable 
creature)  had  some  sort  of  resemblance  to  the  pic- 
ture he  framed  of  him,  he  takes  it  down,  thinking 
it  unjust  to  bear  in  his  sight  that  vile  object,  which 
could  not  in  any  wise  clnim  a  likeness  to  so  worthy 
a  creature  as  his  beloved  monkey. 

One  day,  as  this  lovely  animal  was  officiating 
the  charge  it  had  of  its  own  accord  taken,  being 
gone  for  woo  1,  as  wont  to  do  when  wanted,  he 
finds  in  his  way  a  wild  pomegranate,  whose  extra- 
ordinary size  and  weight  had  caused  it  to  fall  off 
the  tree  :  he  takes  it  home,  and  then  returns  for  his 
faggot,  in  which  time  Quarll,  wishing  the  goodness 
of  tlie  inside  miaht  answer  its  outward  beauty,  cuts 
it  open ;  and,  finding  it  of  a  dull  lusciousness,  too 
flat  for  eating,  imagined  it  might  be  used  with 
things  of  an  acid  and  sharp  taste  :  having  therefore 
boiled  some  water,  he  puts  it  into  a  vessel,  with  a 
sort  of  herb  which  is  of  the  taste  and  nature  of 
cresses,  and  some  of  the  pomegranate,  letting  them 
infuse  some  time,  now  and  tlien  stirring  it ;  which 
the  monkey  having  taken  notice  of,  did  the  same  : 
but  one  very  hot  day,  happening  to  lay  the  vessel 
in  tlie  sun,  made  it  turn  sour. 

Quarll,  who  very  much  wanted  vinegar  in  his 
sauces,  was  well  pleased  with  the  accident,  and  so 
continued  souring  the  liquor,  which  proving  excel- 
lent, he  made  a  five  gallon  vessel  of  it,  having  seve- 
ral, which  at  times  he  found  upon  the  rock. 

Having  now  store  of  vinegar,  and  being  a  great 
lover  of  pickles,  which  he  had  learnt  to  make  by 
seeing  his   last  wife,   who  was  an    extraordinary 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  231 

cook,  and  made  of  all  sorts  every  jear ;  calling  to 
mind  he  had  often  in  his  walks  seen  something  like 
mushrooms,  he  makes  it  his  business  to  look  for 
some  :  thus  he  picked  up  a  few,  of  whicli  Bean- 
fidelle  (who  followed  him  up  and  downj  having 
taken  notice,  immediately  ranges  about;  and  being 
nimbler  footed  than  his  master,  and  not  obliged  to 
stoop  so  low,  picked  double  the  quantity  in  the 
same  space  of  time ;  so  that  he  soon  had  enough  to 
serve  him  till  the  next  season. 

His  good  success,  in  making  that  sort  of  pickle, 
encourages  him  to  try  another;  and,  having  taken 
notice  of  a  plant  in  the  wood  that  bears  a  small 
green  flower,  which,  before  it  is  blown,  looks  like 
a  caper,  he  gathers  a  few ;  and  their  taste  and 
flavour  being  no  way  disagreeable,  judging  that, 
when  pickled  they  would  be  pleasant,  he  tries 
them,  which,  according  to  his  mind,  were  full  as 
good  as  the  real  ones,  and  gathers  a  sufficient  quan- 
tity, with  the  help  of  his  attendant,  stocking  him- 
self with  two  as  pleasant  pickles  as  dilTerent  sorts, 
but  there  is  another  he  admires  above  all ;  none,  to 
his  mind,  like  the  cucumber ;  and  the  island  pro- 
ducing none,  left  him  no  room  to  hope  for  any;  yet 
(as  likeness  is  a  vast  help  to  imagination)  if  he 
could  but  find  any  thing  which  ever  so  little  re- 
sembles them  in  make,  nature,  or  taste,  it  will 
please  his  fancy  :  he  therefore  examines  every  kind 
of  buds,  blossoms,  and  seeds  ;  having  at  last  found 
that  of  a  wild  parsnip,  which  being  long  and  nar- 
row, almost  the  bigness  and  make  of  a  pickling 
cucumber,  green  and  crisp  withal,  full  of  a  small 
flat  seed,  not  unlike  that  of  the  thing  he  would  fain 
have  it  to  be,  he  pickles  some  of  them;  which  being 
of  a  colour,  and  near  upon  the  make,  he  fancies 
them  quite  of  the  taste. 

His  beans  being  at  that  time  large  enough  for  the 
first  crop,  he  gathers  some  for  his  dinner.  The 
shells  being  tender  and  of  a  delicate  green,  it  came 


232  THE   ENGLISH    HERUiT. 

into  hiS  mind  they  might  be  made  to  imitate  French 
beans.  "  They  are,"  said  lie,  "  near  the  nature,  I 
can  make  them  quite  of  the  shape,  if  so  be  they  have 
the  same  savour."  Accordingly  he  cuts  them  in 
\cnz  narrow  slips,  and  pickles  some,  flie  other  part 
he  boils;  and,  there  being  none  to  contradict  their 
taste,  they  pa««ed  current  for  as  good  French  beans 
as  any  that  ever  grew. 

The  disappointment  of  having  something  more 
comfortable  liian  water  to  drink  being  retrieved  by 
producing,  in  the  room  thereof,  wherewithal  to 
make  his  eatables  more  delicious,  he  proceeds  in 
ins  first  pro^pec*  ;  and,  taking  necessary  care  to 
prevent  that  accident  which  intercepted  snccess  in 
his  first  undertaking,  he  accomplishes  his  design, 
and  makes  a  liquor  no  wise  inferior  to  the  best 
cider  :  so  that  now  he  has  both  to  revive  and  keep 
op  his  spirits,  as  well  as  to  please  his  palate,  and 
suit  his  appetite. 

Having  now  nothing  to  crave  or  wish  for,  but 
rather  all  motives  for  content,  he  lies  down  with 
a  peaceable  mind,  no  care  nor  fear  disturbing  his 
thoughts:  his  sleep  is  not  interrupted  with  frightful 
fancies,  but  rather  diverted  with  pleasant  and  di- 
verting dreams ;  he  is  not  stariled  at  thunder  or 
storms,  though  ever  so  terrible,  his  trust  being  on 
Providence,  who  at  sundry  times,  and  in  various 
manners,  has  rescued  him  from  death,  though  appa- 
rently unavoidable;  being  for  above  thirty  years 
miraculously  protected  and  maintained  in  a  place 
so  remote  from  all  human  help  and  assistance. 

Yet,  notwithstanding  his  firmness,  and  Avhole 
trust  on  Providence,  he  is  obliged  to  give  way  to 
the  weakness  of  his  nature;  a  strange  and  shocking 
noise  is  heard  at  a  distance  in  the  air,  which,  hav- 
ing reached  the  spot  where  he  stood,  covers  it  with 
darkness  for  several  minutes,  at  which  he  is  so 
larmed  that  he  thinks  himself  past  all  hopes  ;  till 
the  noise  being  cea&ed,  and  that  which  iolercopted 


THK    ENGLISH    HERMIT.  233 

the  light  dispersed,  his  scared  senses  returning  to 
their  piopcr  seat,  and  his  strayed  reason  recailetl, 
he  is  ashamed  of  the  weakness  of  his  f.iiih,  and 
bees  pardon  for  his  late  mistrust  of  ihe  continuation 
of  Providence's  protection,  who  had  all  along  tjiven 
him  all  imai^inahle  reason  to  d^peijd  on  it  at  ail 
times.  Thus,  havins;  opened  his  door,  he  steps  out 
to  see  if  he  conld  discover  the  cause  of  tiie  late 
most  surprising  and  sudden  darkness,  in  a  bright 
sun-shining  day  ;  whicli  having  found  out  by  the 
vast  number  of  dead  birds  of  vario'is  kinds,  lying 
up  and  down  the  ground,  he  was  seized  with  no 
small  atnazement,  though  with  less  fe.^r. 

Frt^n  that  most  suprising  aspect  he  infers  there 
had  been  a  battle  of  those  creatures  in  the  air,  the 
great  number  of  which  had  occasioned  the  late 
decrea.se. 

Having  made  reflections  upon  that  astonishing 
transaction,  he  can  draw  thence  no  other  inference 
but  a  prognostication  of  dreadful  wars  in  Europe, 
from  which  he  begs  Heaven  to  protect  his  native 
country:  and,  lest  the  dead  birds,  that  lay  in  great 
numbers,  should  (with  lying)  infect  the  island,  he 
and  his  monkey  carried  them  to  the  other  side  of 
the  rock,  throw  ing  them  into  the  sea  ;  only  as  many 
of  them  as  had  soft  feathers  on  their  breast  and 
bellies,  h?  plucked  away,  to  stutt'  a  pillow  for  the 
beast,  being  a  little  too  hot  at  nights  for  it  to  lie 
npon  the  bed.  So  having  cleared  the  place,  and 
being  tired  with  often  going  up  and  down  the  rugued 
rock,  he  stayed  at  home  tlie  remainder  of  the  day, 
and  at  night  goes  to  bet!  ;  but,  as  the  late  omen  ol 
approaching  evil  had  pre  occupied  his  thoughts  in 
the  <lay  concerning  his  country,  his  ntind  ran  upon 
t  in  the  night  ;  dreaming  he  sees  wives  weeping 
and  ntelling  into  tears,  taking  their  leaves  of  their 
indulgent  husbands,  hanging,  destitute  t>f  sirengili 
4bout  their  necks,  whose  grief  weighed  them  to  iht 
ground.    Turning  from  that  allntling  object,  he  sees 


234  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

another  as  shocking;  the  old  father, bathed  in  tears, 
embracing  his  only  son,  bidding  hiin  farewell,  and 
■with  him  "all  the  comforts  of  this  life,  and  support 
of  his  age.  Moving  his  eyes  from  that,  they  light 
on  full  as  bad  a  sight  ;  the  tender  motlier  swooning 
in  her  dear  child's  arms,  whom  an  inexorable  press 
gang  is  hauling  away.  Thus  every  face  expressing 
grief  for  a  relation,  or  a  friend,  not  being  able  any 
longer  to  behold  those  terrifying  objects  with  which 
the  town  abounded,  he  betakes  himself  to  the 
country;  that  by  keeping  from  the  afflicted,  he  may 
avoid  grief. 

Having  quitted  the  town,  he  finds  himself  on  a 
sudden  in  a  place  as  full  of  terrors,  where  he  saw 
streams  of  reeking  blood  here  and  there,  loose 
horses  kicking  and  prancing  about,  some  dragging 
their  late  riders  by  the  stirrups,  others  wounded, 
and  their  guts  hanging  about ;  at  a  distance,  crowds 
of  men  in  flame  and  smoke,  confusedly  moving 
like  heaps  of  dust  in  a  whirlwind,  leaving  behind 
tliein,  as  they  moved,  vast  numbers  of  men  and 
horses,  both  dead  and  dying  ;  some  without  legs, 
others  without  arms,  and  abundance  with  but  one 
of  each. 

At  a  distance  thence,  some  in  pursuit  of  their 
enei7iies,  hacking  and  cutting  them  down  all  the 
way  before  them,  like  wood  for  fjiel ;  others,  flying 
from  being  slain,  cast  themselves  into  rapid  rivers, 
where  they  perish  by  thousands. 

As  he  was  looking  at  those  terrible  objects,  he 
finds  himself  on  a  sudden  surrounded  by  rustical 
soldiers,  holding  their  swords  and  bayonets  to  his 
breast,  and  asking  him,  in  a  surly  manner.  Whether 
high  or  low?  At  which  being  very  much  startled, 
not  knowing  what  to  answer,  nor,  indeed,  what 
they  meint,~he  told  them  he  was  an  Englishman; 
which  they  appearing  to  be  also  made  him  hope 
for  better  usage  :  but  they,  seizing  him  in  a  violent 
manner    said   he  might   be   English,   and    yet   an 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  235 

3nemy  to  the  country.  Then  he  awaked  in  a  won- 
derfuf  flight,  but,  being  come  to  himself,  he  con- 
cludes that  his  dream  proceeded  from  his  late  sur- 
prise at  the  preceding  day's  astonishing  transactions; 
therefore,  having  again  recommended  his  country  to 
Heaven's  protection,  he  goes  about  making  the  bed 
for  his  monkey,  as  he  had  concluded  on  before,  and 
■with  some  sail-cloth  makes  a  case,  stuffing  it  with 
the  feathers  he  had  saved  for  that  purpose. 

The  night  being  come,  he  lays  the  couching, 
which  he  made  tor  the  beast,  by  his  own  bed  ; 
which  very  readily  went  to  it,  being  very  soft  and 
easy. 

And,  as  cares  for  his  country  had  in  the  day  oc- 
cupied his  thoughts,  his  mind  in  the  night  is  im- 
pressed with  the  subject,  thonuh  not  with  so  dismal 
an  idea  as  the  preceding;  having  since  bten  diverted 
■with  such  objects  as  removed  the  terrifying  aspects, 
■which  before  olfered  themselves  to  his  imagination ; 
•which  now  is  taken  up  with  being  in  St.  James's 
Park,  where  he  had  formerly  taken  pleasure,  and 
which  he  fancies  had  since  lost  many  of  its  former 
agreeablenesses. 

As  he  was  walking,  a  report  was  raised  that  a 
certain  great  person  (who,  by  his  late  great  services 
to  the  nation,  had  gained  a  title  to  the  palace)  was 
just  deceased;  having, before  his  death,  entailed  the 
same  upon  a  foreign  "prince  of  great  renown.  This 
surprising  piece  of  news  occasioned  a  sudden  alter- 
ation in  every  body's  countenance  :  some  looked 
pale  with  grief,  others  red  with  wrath ;  but  every 
thing  in  nature  seemed  to  express  a  feeling  for  the 
loss  ;  the  trees  shed  half  their  virtues,  and  the  grass 
withered. 

This  dull  scene  having  lasted  some  time,  the  trees 
and  grass  recover  their  former  verdure,  brighter 
than  before  ;  the  lofty  oaks,  which  he  fancied  bor- 
dered the  Mall,  bore  fine  roses  in  vast  abundance. 
This     additional  beauty    iu    those    noble    plants. 


236  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

already  so  famed  abroad  for  their  tonghness  and 
strength,  prompts  people  of  all  nations  to  come  and 
refresh  themselves  under  their  lofty  and  fragraii* 
shades. 

Havin?  with  great  satisfaction  admired  ihe  snr- 
prising  improvement  of  the  oaks,  which,  to  his 
imagination,  prognosticated  prosperity  to  the  nation, 
he  walks  on  northward,  where  he  saw  abundance 
of  thistles,  -which  made  him  wonder  they  were  per- 
mitted to  grow  in  a  place  where  every  thing  ought 
to  contribute  to  its  agreeableness  and  pleasantness  ; 
but,  having  considered  the  stoutness  of  the  plants, 
which  denoted  their  being  well  rooted,  he  judged 
it  impossible  to  clear  the  groimd  ;  besides,  the  bees 
loving  to  settle  on  them,  and  probably  sucking 
more  honey  from  their  blossoms  than  any  more 
agreeable  or  sweet-scented  flower;  for  that  reason, 
he  imagined  (hey  were  not  gathered. 

Walking  back  again,  he  meets  with  several  noble- 
men, some  %\iih  a  blue  cordon,  others  with  green, 
each  with  a  gardening  tool  in  his  hand,  going  to 
turn  np  and  till  the  ground,  between  that  where  the 
thistles  grew,  and  that  where  the  oaks  stood  :  he 
was  startled  to  see  those  great  persons,  who  hardly 
will  concern  themselves  with  their  own  lands  and 
possessions,  labour  to  improve  that  wherein  every 
private  person  had  a  share.  He  stood  some  time 
admiring  their  dexterity  and  readiness  at  their 
work  ;  then  walks  on  to  the  Mall,  which  he  found 
thronged  with  a  multitude  of  people  of  all  nations, 
every  one  having  a  rose  in  his  hand,  wherewith 
they  diverted  themselves  as  they  walked. 

Having  gazed  about  him  a  considerable  time,  he 
had  a  fancy  to  go  and  see  how  the  noble  gardeners 
went  on  with  their  work  ;  where  being  come,  he 
finds,  to  his  great  admiration,  the  ground  had  been 
so  wonderfully  well  manured  that  the  oaks  and 
thistles  had  struck  their  roots  through  it,  and  met  ; 
80.  growing  together,  had  produced  a  plant  which 


THE    ENGLISH    HERMIT.  237 

bore  both  roses  and  thistles,  to  every  body's  won- 
der; ^vhich  made  the  thistles  so  valued  ever  since 
that  there  are  but  few  great  or  fine  gardens,  which 
have  not  more  or  less  of  them. 

His  monkey  being  startled  out  of  his  sleep  in  a 
mighty  fright,  ran  behind  his  back  squeaking,  and 
awaked  him  in  the  inidst  of  his  amazement,  being 
exceedingly  pleased  wiih  his  late  dream,  of  which 
he  conceived  a  mighty  good  omen  to  Old  England, 
diflfering  so  very  much  from  the  preceding,  both  in 
nature  and  signification. 

Thus,  though  earlier  than  he  usually  rose,  he  gets 
up  to  set  it  down  whilst  fresh  in  his  mind,  and  also 
the  year,  being  1707  ;  then  takes  a  walk  before 
breakfast,  and  the  beast  \\\th  him;  wiiich,  being 
not  yet  recovered  of  its  late  fright,  keeps  close  to 
his  master,  every  now  and  then  looking  behind,  as 
though  still  afraid  ;  at  which  Quarll  concludes  the 
creature  must  jieeds  have  been  disturbed  in  its 
sleep  the  night  before  with  some  frightful  dream, 
which  made  him  wonder  tliat  an  animal  void  of 
reason,  and  incapable  of  reflection,  should  be  sus- 
ceptible of  imagination. 

The  day  being  passed  without  any  extraordinary 
occurrence,  he  made  no  fartlier  remark,  but  fol- 
lowed his  usual  occupation,  and  then  went  to  his 
rcsv,  and  the  monkey  to  his  new  bed,  as  the  night 
before,  which  he  took  care  to  draw  as  close  to  his 
master  as  he  could  ;  then,  having  been  twice  or 
thrice  about  the  room,  examining  every  corner,  he 
lies  down,  and  sleeps  quietly  till  the  dawning  of  the 
morning  ;  at  which  time  he  starts  up  again,  as  the 
night  before. 

Quarll,  being  a  second  time  awaked  in  the  same 
manner,  and  much  about  the  same  hour,  conclurles 
the  cause  must  proceed  from  the  pillow,  and  re- 
solves to  experiment  it  himself  the  next  night;  at 
which  time  crowds  of  terrifying  aspects  appear  in 
his    imagination,  which   allure  his  whole  facultieSf 


238  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

and  set  all  his  senses  in  an  uproar ;  his  eyes  arc 
taken  np  with  frijihttul  objects,  and  his  ears  tilled 
with  a  terrible  noise;  at  which  the  rest  ot  his  senses 
have  lost  llitir  ortices,  and  are  become  useless. 

Being  awake  the  next  morning,  he  tinds  himself 
inclined  to  believe  ihat  the  pillow  had  really  some 
influence  on  his  imagination  ;  but  as  one  night's 
experience  was  not  a  sufficient  solution  to  his  en- 
quiry in  that  supernatural  operation,  having  often 
dreamed  betore  he  used  the  pillow,  he  resolves  to 
try  it  several  nights  successively  ;  during  which  his 
monkey  slept  very  quiet,  stnd  he  as  disturbed.  This 
works  a  great  way  towards  the  persuasion  of  what 
he  had  a  strong  fancy  to  believe  :  yet,  to  be  better 
satisfied  of  the  reality  of  it,  he  lays  by  the  pillow 
for  three  or  four  nights  together ;  dining  which 
time  both  he  and  the  beast  slept  very  quietly. 

This  added  much  to  his  opinion  that  e\il  effluvia 
ssued  out  of  those  feathers  the  pillow  was  slutted 
with;  but  as  he  formerly  dreamed,  and  had  many 
nights'  intermission  between  those  that  were  enter- 
tained wiih  dreams,  he  will  once  more  try  it,  before 
he  concludes  that  it  is  so,  thus  puts  it  again  under 
his  head  that  night  :  and,  as  it  was  the  last  experi- 
ment, it  proved  also  the  most  troublesome,  he  being 
at  that  time  terrihed  with  more  shocking  objects 
than  the  preceding  ;  wliich,  though  they  represent 
fierce  and  bloody  battles  to  his  imagination,  yet 
were  less  terrible  to  him,  having  not  as  yet  dis- 
cerned his  native  country  engaged  therein,  whom 
now  he  finds  to  be  tlie  principd  party  concerr.ed, 
on  wh.ich  all  success  depends,  and  which  cannot  be 
strove  for  without  vast  expenses,  and  irretrievable 
loss  of  his  dear  countrymen  ;  fur  whom  his  heart 
bled  as  plentiiully  as  for  those  whom  he  dreamed  he 
saw  in  their  gore. 

Having  with  terror  and  grief  fatigued  his  eyes 
with  the  most  shocking  and  afflicting  ettects  of  war, 
men  and  horses  lying  as  thick  upon   the  ground  as 


THE  ENGLISH  BERUIT.  239 

grass  in  a  meadow,  and  streams  of  blood  running 
like  so  many  brooks,  supplied  by  a  strong  spring; 
he  lifts  up  his  eyes  to  heaven,  imploring  an  end  to 
that  execiable  devourer  of  mankind. 

And  wi  ilst  his  eyes  were  still  fixed  to  the  hea- 
vens, he  sees  Victory  rushing  through  thick  clouds 
of  obstacUs  approaching  to  her;  which  having  over- 
come, she  settled  over  the  army  iiis  counlrymen 
belonged  to,  over  whose  head  she  shook  and  flou- 
rished h(r  colours,  pointing  at  approaching  Peace, 
attended  wilh  Plenty ;  but  on  a  sudden  there  arose 
an  infeciious  mist  out  of  the  ground,  wliich  cramp- 
ing the  Englishmen's  hands,  tiiat  they  could  no 
more  u?e  their  conquering  arms,  this  fatal  accident 
having  both  encouraged  and  strengthened  the  enemy, 
they  fell  on  the  unfortunate  remain*  of  tlie  army 
with  ni  merciful  fury;  who,  now,  having  lost  all 
their  support  and  dependence,  ^^ere  most  cruelly 
cut  to  pieces  ;  at  which  most  dismal  and  attlicting 
object  he  awaked.  And  though  tiiis  dream  was  a 
suflicient  proof  of  the  feathers'  influence,  yet  he 
cannot  be  satisfied  but  it  must  be  ominous,  having 
so  much  relation  to  the  preceding,  therefore  sets  it 
down  with  them  ;  and,  for  a  more  certain  convic- 
tion of  what  he  had  all  cause  imaginable  to  believe, 
he  is  resolved  to  try  his  monkey  once  more  the 
night  following  :  but  the  beast,  who  l.ad  not  yet 
forgot  the  uneasiness  that  the  bed  had  caused  him, 
chost  to  lie  on  the  ground ;  which  entirely  con- 
vinctd  Qiiarll  that  there  was  a  malignant  quality  in 
those  feathers  :  wherefore  he  throws  them  into  the 
sea,  and  fills  the  case  with  a  sort  of  soft  moss,  which 
grew  at  the  bottom  of  a  particular  tree,  on  which 
the  creature  lay  very  quiet  ever  after. 

Ar.d  as  yearly  stripping  the  eagles  of  their  eggs 
h.\(\  prevented  their  increase,  it  also  favoured  and 
advanced  that  of  the  creatures  in  the  island,  on 
whose  young  they  fed;  so  that  the  number  of  the 
wild  monkeys  being  considerably  augmented,  made 


240  THE  ENGLISH   HERMIT. 

their  food  scanty,  which  caused  them  now  and  then 
to  come  and  steal  somewhat  out  of  Qnaill's  ground. 
Beau-tidelle,  whose  good  keeping  and  warm  Ij  ing 
had  made  him  thrive  in  bigness  and  strength  ex- 
ceeding his  kind,  finding  some  of  them  stealing  bis 
master's  roots,  beat  them  away;  whicli  obliged  those 
subtle  creatures  to  come  several  together,  the  better 
to  be  able  to  encounter  him  ;  which  Quarll  having 
taken  notice  of,  and  being  willing  to  add  a  new 
sport  to  his  usual  diversions,  he  cuts  a  stick  of  the 
length  and  bigness  that  the  creature  could  manage, 
which  he  gave  him  ;  and,  taking  his  own  slatt",  exer- 
cises it  betore  him,  which  did  the  same  with  his  ; 
and,  apprehending  what  use  it  was  given  him  for, 
he  had  it  often  in  his  hands,  and  with  it  drove 
away  the  others  when  they  came,  though  ten  or  a 
dozen  together  ;  so  tliat  the  roots  were  very  well 
guarded  by  his  continual  watching,  which  made 
those  sly  and  fpiteful  creatures  watch  an  opporiu- 
nity  to  take  him  at  a  disadvantage.  Thus  finding 
him  one  morning,  as  he  was  going  for  water  by 
himself,  as  he  was  wont  to  do,  and  being  then  with- 
out hi»  start,  of  which  they  stood  in  great  fear,  a 
considerable  number  fell  upon  him,  and  so  bit  and 
beat  him  that  he  lay  as  dead  ;  but  his  master  ap- 
pearing, who,  being  uneasy  at  his  extraordinary 
Stay,  was  gone  to  see  what  was  the  occasion  there- 
of, put  them  to  flight,  and  they  left  the  poor  crea- 
ture with  just  breath  enough  to  keep  its  life  in,  and 
scarce  strength  suflRcient  to  draw  it. 

Quarll  being  come  to  the  place  where  his  beloved 
Beau-tidelle  lay  in  a  most  dismal  bloody  condition, 
could  not  forbear  shedding  tears  to  see  him  thus 
miserably  dying  :  but  finding  still  breath  in  him, 
it  gave  him  hopes  of  his  recovery  ;  and  taking  him 
up  in  his  arms  with  all  the  care  he  could,  he  hastens 
home,  and  gives  him  a  little  of  the  liquor  he  had 
made,  which  by  that  time  had  got  both  body  and 
spirit;   then    having    laid   it   upon   its    bed,    and 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  241 

covered  him  with  his  winter-wrapper,  he  makes  a 
fire  and  warms  some  of  the  said  liquor,  and  fresh 
butter,  wherewith  he  washes  its  sores  ;  so  lays  him 
down  again,  giving  hitn  all  the  careful  attendance 
he  could,  during  his  illness,  which  held  but  one 
week,  at  the  end  of  which  it  died,  to  his  unspeak- 
able grief;  who,  from  that  time  grew  so  melancholy, 
that  he  had  not  the  courage  to  go  on  with  his  me- 
morial ;  till,  having  a  most  remarkable  dream  about 
twelve  months' after,  he  changed  his  resolution,  and 
proceeded  in  his  memoirs  :  and  as  he  set  down  his 
dream,  he  also  did  the  death  of  his  beloved  beast, 
it  happening  near  the  same  time. 

Having  spent  the  year  but  dully,  for  want  of  his 
diverting  company  at  home,  to  put  this  as  much  out 
of  his  mind  as  he  could,  he  walked  the  spare  hours 
he  had  left  from  his  usual  occupation.  Thus  being 
one  day  somewhat  fatigued,  having  lost  his  wonted 
alacrity,  he  sat  down  under  the  next  cluster  of  trees 
he  came  at ;  and,  being  in  a  dull  disposition,  was 
soon  lulled  asleep,  at  a '  lonesome  note  of  a  certain 
sort  of  melancholy  bird,  which  shuns  6ther  com- 
pany (though  of  its  own  kind)  at  all  times  but  in 
breeding-time  ;  which,  having  placed  itself  in  the 
tliickest  and  shadiest  pait  of  the  grove  where  Quarll 
had  made  choice  to  lie,  falls  a  sinking  his  melan- 
ciioly  notes;  which  being  suitable  to  his  disposition 
of  both  body  and  mind,  soon  lulled  him  asleep; 
during  which  he  dreamed  that  he  saw  an  old  man 
sitting  in  a  large  circle,  around  which  all  the  signs 
of  the  zodiac  were,  and  the  old  gentleman  appeared 
extremely  busy,  stringing  of  small  beads,  some 
white,  and  some  black;  and  when  he  had  strung  a 
certain  number,  he  began  another  string,  and  so  on. 
He  had  the  curiosity  to  tell  how  many  he  put  in  a 
string,  so  keeps  an  account  of  the  next  he  did  begin, 
and  tells  just  sixty.  Having  made  as  many  of  those 
strings  as  there  were  beads  in  each,  he  puts  them 
together,  and   begins  again   to  string,  mixing  white 


-242  THE   ENGLISH     HERMIT. 

and  black  as  they  came  to  his  hand,  twisting  every 
sixtieth  string  in  parcels,  till  he  had  made  sixty  of 
them,  which  he  neatly  plaits  together,  proceeding 
as  from  the  beginning,  and  makes  twenty-four  of 
these  plaits,  which  he  weaves  together,  making  a 
flat  piece  of  bi-ad-work,  changeable  upon  black, 
which,  when  looked  upon  one  way,  seemed  plea- 
sant, and  being  seen  from  another,  as  disagreeable. 
He  worked  on  till  he  had  made  three  hundred  and 
sixty-five  such  pieces,  then  lays  them  up  in  a  bun- 
dle, and  goes  to  work  again,  beginning  to  string  as 
at  first. 

Having  looked  himself  weary  with  seeing  still 
the  same,  of  which  he  could  make  nothing,  he  goes 
away,  leaving  the  old  gentleman  stringing  his  biads; 
who,  seeing  him  go,  lays  by  hii  work,  and  follows 
nim  ;  and,  having  overtaken  him,  asked  him,  What 
he  had  been  looking  at  all  that  time  ?  he,  being  sur- 
prised at  the  surly  question,  modestly  replies.  He 
had  been  admiring  his  work,  in  doing  which  he 
hoped  there  was  no  offence.  "  No,"  said  the  old 
man,  provided  thou  learnest  something  by  what 
thou  hast  seen."  To  which  he  answered.  It  was 
impossible  for  him  to  learn  such  a  mysterious  busi- 
ness, with  once  seeing  it  done  ;  so  mucliless,  being 
entirely  a  stranger  to  it.  "  A  stranger  to  it  art 
thou  I"  replied  the  old  man,  in  a  surly  manner  ; 
"and  hast  wasted  so  much  of  my  work!  I  am 
Time,  whom  thou  hast  often  ill  used  ;  and  those 
white  and  black  beads  that  thou  hast  seen  me  string, 
are  good  and  bad  moments,  I  crowd  into  minutes, 
which  I  link  into  hours  ;  thus  weave  days,  where- 
with years  are  composed.  Thou  hast  seen  me  com- 
flete  the  present,  which  is  reckoned  the  year  1713. 
tell  thee,  before  the  ensuing  is  ended,  I  will  grace 
the  British  throne  with  an  illustiious  race  to  the 
end  of  kings'  reigns ;"  so  vanished.  Then  he 
awaked  in  a  great  surprise,  and  goes  home  ponder- 
ing ou  nis  dream ;  of  w  bich  he  inferred  that  if,  there 


THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT.  243 

be  any  signification  in  the  roving  conceptions  of  the 
mind,  this  must  prognosticate  the  speedy  accession 
of  some  great  monarch  upon  theEngli^li  tlirone  :  so 
sets  down  in  his  memorial  that  most  remarkable 
dream,  which  happened  in  1713,  heartily  wishing 
the  accomplishment  thereof,  for  the  quiet  and 
prosperity  of  his  dear  country. 

There  happened  nothing  after,  for  the  space  of 
four  years,  but  great  thunders  and  lightnings,  in  the 
summer,  and  abundance  of  hail  and  snow  in  the 
winter,  with  now  and  then  storms,  which  left  seve- 
ral sorts  of  fishes  in  the  clefts  and  holes  of  the  rocks, 
and  sometimes  fragments  of  staved  ships,  and  bat- 
tered casks,  or  broken  chests,  with  a  plank,  and 
such  like  products  of  shipwreck,  not  worth  record- 
ing: by  which  means,  for  want  of  empln}  nitnt,  he 
has  several  idle  and  sullen  hours  in  the  day  time, 
which  his  late  beloved  animal's  diverting  company 
made  slip  away  with  pleasure,  and  for  want  of  which 
they  now  creep  slowly  on,  being  loaded  with  dull 
and  heavy  thoughts,  which  made  those  walks  irk- 
some he  at  that  time  took  for  ease;  that  by  the 
diversity  of  objects  abroad,  his  mind  might  be  with- 
drawn from  his  anxious  solitude. 

Having  one  day  perused  his  memorial,  as  he 
commonly  did  once  a  year,  the  dream  he  had  in 
1713,  wherein  Time  predicted  such  great  happiness 
to  his  country  the  year  ensuing,  made  such  an  im- 
pression in  his  mind  that  he  always  thought  of  it. 
Accordingly,  being  walking,  and  the  day  proving 
extraordniariij'.hot,  he  goes  to  shelter  himself  in  one 
of  his  natural  groves,  where  having  laid  himself 
down  on  the  grass,  he  was  soon  lulled  asleep;  during 
which,  the  idea  he  had  conceived  of  his  former 
dream  represented  to  his  imagination  a  most  majes- 
tic and  graceful  monarch,  silting  on  a  magnificent 
throne,  round  which  stood  many  delightful  olive- 
plants,  which  much  added  to  his  lustre. 

Having  with  a  great  deal  of  pleasure,  gazed  at 


244  THE  ENGLISH  HERMIT. 

the  most  graceful  countenance  of  the  king,  which 
denoted  justice,  equity,  love,  and  clemency;  he  gave 
Heaven  thanks  for  the  mighty  blessing  bestowed  on 
nis  country,  coming  a%vay  in  order  to  return  to  his 
island,  with  this  additional  happiness  to  the  many 
he  already  enjoyert. 

Being  come  from  Court,  on  his  journey  he  meets 
the  same  old  gentleman  of  whom  he  drcHmed  the 
year  before  :  wlio,  taking  him  by  the  hand,  said — 
"I  find  thon  hast  been  to  see 'the  accoinplishment 
of  my  prediction  ;  now  I  will  tell  thee  more  : 

♦*  Ere  one  thunsand  seven  hundred  and  sixtv  is  written. 
All  dit'isiuns,  remember,  will  cease  in  Great  Britain. 

'■  Next,  I  will  show  thee  what  I  have  done  to 
secure  the  accomplishment  of  my  prophecy.  Then 
takes  him  to  a  high  place,  whence  he  could  see  into 
the  cabinets  of  all  the  princes  in  Europe;  in  several 
of  which,  he  took  notice,  lay  a  vast  heap  of  rich  and 
costly  things,  but  confused,  shapeless,  and  fit  for  no 
use.  "  Now,"  said  the  old  man  to  him,  "these  are 
disappointments,  and  defeated  projects,  made  to 
intercept  what  I  determined."  Then  vanishes  ;  at 
which  he  awaked,  exceeding  glad  to  find  himself 
sare  in  his  blessed  island,  and  wonderfully  pleased 
with  his  dream,  which  betokened  so  much  good  to 
his  dear  country.  This  was  the  conclusion  of  his 
records  in  17'24. 

EdVPARD  DORRINCTON. 


QUARLL,  Philip.  The  English  Hermit; 
unparalleled  sufferings  and  surprising  adven- 
tures of.   Philadelphia,    1855.  $7.50 

Curious  narrative  of  his  travels  during  the  French 
&  Indian  War,  adventures  among  the  Indians  and 
the  French  privateers,  etc.  Evidently  written  by 
Edward  Dorrington. 


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